Long-awaited improvements to the congested Wexford Flats area of Route 19 will begin Monday.

PennDOT announced today that preliminary work on the $18.1 million project in Pine and McCandless townships will require single lane closures in each direction on Route 19 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through early March.

Overall work is expected to be completed in late 2012, according to PennDOT.

The project spans 2.33 miles of Route 19 from about 300 feet north of Longvue Road to just north of North Chapel/Manor Road, PennDOT said. About 28,000 vehicles use this section of Route 19 on an average day, it added.  

"Crews will be clearing areas along the roadway to allow for major construction activities that will begin at a later date," the PennDOT announcement stated.  "Motorists and residents should also be aware utility relocations will be occurring in the area during the next few months."    

Route 19 will be widened from 42 feet to 63 feet and a center turn lane will be added, as well as curbed gutters and sidewalks, according to the PennDOT press release.

"New, improved traffic signals will be added at eight intersections in the project area," PennDOT said.  

PennDOT's prime contractor for the project is the Golden Triangle Construction Co. Inc. of Imperial, PA.

The project includes widening, bituminous resurfacing, concrete pavement, drainage, curb and sidewalk construction, signing and pavement marking, signals, a retaining wall, and other improvements, the PennDOT announcement stated.

To register for a project email list, send an email tojstruzzi@state.pa.us with “Subscribe – Route 19 Wexford Flats” in the subject line.