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Work to unite Route 715 across Route 611 is picking up after starting in November.
As of Friday, Jan. 24, many trees on the hill across from the west side of 715 have been cut down, including one that smashed through the sign listing businesses in the Pocono Township/Tannersville area. Cranes and vehicles could also be seen on the hill.
According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 5 Press Officer Ronald Young, the work happening at the intersection of 611 and 715 is for clearing and excavation for the winter portion of the intersection alignment.
Fellow PennDOT District 5 Press Officer Sean Brown added that the east side of 715 will be moved to align with the west side. The hill will be cleared and excavated to relocate the eastern portion.
In addition to the roadway alignment, the clearing and excavation will also be for a utility pole relocation, and for new stormwater changes. Periodic alternating single lane traffic on 715 east of 611 may occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for drainage pipe crossings.
The hill behind the Pocono Township-Tannersville sign on Route 611, opposite the western side of Route 715, is partially cleared as of Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. After the hill is cleared and excavated, the eastern side of Route 715 will be relocated to line up with the western side.
In the spring, a portion of the new bridge on 715 over Pocono Creek will begin. The new bridge is set to be adjacent to the existing bridge and will not impact current traffic patterns on 715 west of 611.
From spring until summer, the tie-in for the roadway alignment will be done, resulting in the closing and detouring of 715 east of 611. A tie-in, Brown said, is the leveling of the new road with the old road.
The shoulders of 611 will be closed for reconstruction and widening from the spring to the end of the year. Throughout the year, lanes on 611 will periodically close overnight, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., for drainage and utility crossings.
The project in total will reconstruct and widen 0.407 miles of 715 and 611. Other construction includes stormwater drainage systems and improvements, traffic signals, signing, guide rail and pedestrian curb ramps.
Construction has been awarded to Leeward Construction, Inc. of Honesdale on a $14,991,832.60 contract. The project has an anticipated completion date of October 2027.
Max Augugliaro is the public safety and government watchdog reporter at the Pocono Record. Reach him at MAugugliaro@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: PennDOT working to line up both sides of Route 715 at Route 611
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