If winter has mostly gone away, it must be time for another crossover on Interstate 79.
That time is this weekend for motorists in Kennedy, Robinson, Neville and Glenfield.
Work will begin at 7 p.m. Friday to create a crossover that will take the left, northbound lane to the southbound side of the highway between the Route 60 Crafton/Moon Run interchange and the southern end of the Neville Island Bridge. Single-lane restrictions will occur until the crossover is completed by about 7 p.m. Saturday.
Also as part of the crossover process, the northbound off-ramps at Route 51/Coraopolis/McKees Rocks interchange (exit 64) will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday until 11 a.m. Sunday.
The crossover lane will serve as an express lane with no exits before it returns to the northbound side of the road just before the bridge. The right, northbound lane will be moved slightly onto the shoulder but will provide access to exit 64.
Two lanes will remain open on the southbound side of the highway with a barrier separating the lane that is crossed over. Emergency pullover spots will be created along both sides.
The crossover will remain in place until late November.
The work is all part of contractor Lindy Paving Inc.’s $43.9 million project to completely reconstruct the road surface and rehabilitate five bridges above Route 51 and Clever Road, an area known as the S bend. Crews will work on the bridges on the northbound side after upgrading the southbound side last year.
Three ramps at the Route 51 interchange also will be milled and paved and new guide rail, lighting and signs will be installed.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation expects the project to be completed by late 2025.
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.