From staff reports

LEWISTOWN — Bridge maintenance and cleaning are among roadwork projects expected this week in Mifflin County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

PennDOT says road work will proceed on Waynesburg Road at a bridge spanning Kishacoquillas Creek one mile southwest of Menno in Menno Township through Friday. The road will be closed, and a detour will utilize Routes 655, 4007, and 4004, taking motorists around the construction zone and back to Route 4009.

Pennsylvania has some of the oldest bridges in the country, with an age of more than 50 years on average. Preventive maintenance is vital in extending the life of the structures. As such, PennDOT maintenance crews perform some bridge deck patching and structural repairs.

Shoulder Maintenance projects include:

Route 4006 (Back Mountain Road) between Route 305 in Union Township and Route 1005 (Old US 322) in Armagh Township through Friday. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control dung daylight hours;

Route 4003 (Barville Road) between Route 655 and Route 4006 (Back Mountain Road) in Brown Township today. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours;

Route 4001 (Woodland Road) between Black Mountain Road and Tea Creek Road in Brown Township Thursday and Friday. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.

In Juniata County, the following projects are expected:

Pipe Replacement and Cleaning

Route 35 between the intersection of Fulkroad Road and the intersection of Happy Hollow Road in Fermanagh Township. Tuesday and Wednesday. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours;

Pipe replacement and cleaning are essential in maintaining water flow around state roadways. Controlling water flow is one of the most important aspects of maintaining pavements. Uncontrolled water flow will damage both the pavement surface and the area under the pavement, which causes deterioration across the length of the pipe.

Side Dozing

Route 333 from the intersection of Main Street in Thompsontown to the intersection of Route 235 in Delaware Township through Friday 23. Flaggers in the roadway will provide traffic control during daylight hours.

Side dozing removes excess material from beneath guide rail areas, which improves drainage and allows water to sheet flow off the roadway. Side dozing is a crucial highway maintenance operation because when drainage systems do not function properly, water collects on the road, weakens pavement, accelerates the formation of potholes, and creates the potential for icing conditions in the winter months.