Preparatory work begins March 11 on a project to repair and resurface a four-mile section of U.S. Route 22 from just west of Lancaster Street in Swatara Township to just east of Route 343 North in Bethel Township, Lebanon County.

The $8,192,279 contract was awarded on Jan. 31 to Pennsy Supply, Inc., of Annville, Lebanon County, and includes tree trimming, drainage installation, removal of the existing median curb, roadway base repair, shoulder reconstruction, installation of concrete median barrier and mountable curb for new left-turn lanes, bituminous paving, and installation of new guiderail, signs and traffic lines.

The contract also includes work to accommodate new left turn lanes on U.S. Route 22 and the installation of new traffic signal at Route 343 South.

PennDOT advises travelers that initially they may encounter lane and shoulder restrictions during daylight hours, weather permitting, as crews trim trees and install drainage pipe along U.S. Route 22. Eventually traffic will be restricted to a single lane in one or both directions as crews begin around-the-clock median and pavement repair operations.

Work under this construction contract is scheduled to be completed by the end of November. These repairs will complete the safety improvements to the U.S. Route 22 corridor in Lebanon County.

This section of U.S. Route 22, known locally as Allentown Boulevard, averages between 6,600 and 7,400 vehicles traveled daily.