CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Preliminary plans for phase two of PennDOT’s Route 68 improvements near Clarion were unveiled at an open house held Thursday night at Clarion Area High School. PennDOT representatives, along with design consultants, were available to answer questions.

Not only was a second phase unveiled, a later third phase was also discussed that could include sidewalks stretching from the Clarion Curve to the Clarion Mall.

Melanie Percha, PennDOT project manager for the second phase, outlined some of preliminary plans that will follow the current Clarion Curve Project edging towards completion.

“The Dolby Street Project is on Route 68 in Clarion County and begins down at Interstate 80 (exit 62) and goes to Dolby Street by Aldi’s,” said Percha.  “The project will include drainage upgrades, signal upgrades, patching and overlays in some areas, and widening and overlays in most of the project.  Some of the intersections will be widened to five or six lanes, and a portion of it will be widened to include two through lanes so that we have a center turning lane in both directions.”

PennDOT hopes to accept project bids in Fall 2017 with construction tentatively starting in 2018.  The project start date is dependent on the amount of utilities that need to be moved, and it could be a one or two year project.

“The crest of Route 68 by Peebles Store will be lowered about 10 feet to increase sight distance for the traveling public,” continued Percha.  “We’re looking at potentially putting sidewalks on the western or mall side of Route 68, and we’re in current discussions with the Monroe Township Supervisors on that.”

Following completion of the second phase, a third one would complete improvements on Route 68 from Exit 62 to the Clarion or Comet Curve project. Percha said that sidewalks continuing the ones planned for phase two may stretch through phase three, completing sidewalks from the Clarion Mall to Main Street Clarion.

“The last phase of the 68 corridor project will tie Clarion Curve to the Dolby Street Project,” said Percha. “That will include the replacement of the structure at Trout Run on 68 just south of Comet.”

One estimate of the second phase places the costs at $10 million.