DALLAS —Latona Trucking will be given a green light to start work on the Upper Demunds Road Realignment project in August, said the project manager with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
The Upper Demunds Road Realignment and the Dallas Roundabout projects were combined into one bid and awarded to the Pittston-based contractor in late April for $9.3 million, said Jenelle Ostrowski, the project manager.
Ostrowski said a “notice to proceed letter ” is being prepared and will be sent to Latona Trucking the second week of August.
In preparation for construction, utility companies have already relocated communication lines and telephone poles at the intersection of Route 309, West Center Hill and Hildebrandt roads in Dallas Township.
Road construction was initially slated to begin in June, however, the settling of right-of-way issues caused a delay.
Realignment project
The Upper Demunds Realignment will be completed in six phases.
According to McMahon Associates Inc., the first phase is constructing a 185-foot-long left turn lane to West Center Hill Road and a 165-foot-long left turn lane to Hildebrandt Road at the intersection with Route 309.
Also, clearing vegetation and property grading will start for the new branch of Upper Demunds Road near the township building.
During the second phase, work crews will construct a new two-lane branch of Upper Demunds Road.
Phases three and four, slated for March to June 2017, involve closing off a section of Upper Demunds Road from the medical clinic to the Country Club Shopping Center’s entrance. A new intersection will be built near the medical clinic’s entrance for the new Upper Demunds Road to connect with the old branch.
Phase five, slated for September to October 2017, will complete the final connection of Upper Demunds Road to Route 309. Also, new curbing will be installed on Irem Road at the intersection with Route 309. The curbs will make the access to Irem Road a “right-in, right-out.” This means only right turns in and out of Irem Road will be permitted, according to James May, PennDOT spokesperson.
The removal of the “S” curve of the old section of Upper Demunds Road from the medical clinic to the Country Club Shopping Center will be removed during phase six, scheduled for March to April 2018.
The Roundabout
In 2016, Back Mountain residents will encounter utility repositioning in preparation for the Dallas Roundabout, located at a five-way intersection which includes Machell Avenue, State Route 415 and Lake, Church and Main streets.
“Water, gas and telecommunication lines will be relocated,” Ostrowski said, “particularly in the Machell Avenue area.”
In spring 2017, detours will be established as construction crews begin work on curbs, storm water drainage systems and sidewalks for the roundabout, Ostrowski said.
“Detours will be posted on PennDOT’s website,” she said.
