The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Engineering District 5 announced the US 209 Marshalls Creek Bypass in Smithfield and Middle Smithfield townships, Monroe County, opened to traffic just before 9 p.m. on Monday, June 11. The Bypass redirects US 209 around the Village of Marshalls Creek.

“Stage 3 of the Bypass project is moving along, and we are excited to open this new roadway,” District Executive Michael W. Rebert said. “This relocation of Route 209 from the center of the Village is designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.”

With the Bypass open, existing US 209 between the roundabout and the Village is designated as State Route 1019/Seven Bridge Road, and existing US 209 between Business Route 209 and the northern end of the Bypass is designated as Business Route 209.  

Later this summer Seven Bridge Road will close between the roundabout and Twin Falls Road to replace the Seven Bridge Road Bridge over Marshalls Creek. That closure is expected to last two-to-three months. The contractor is working with the Department to shore up the schedule for this bridge work.

Then the final portions of work will entail reconstructing the intersection of Business Route 209 with Seven Bridge Road, rehabilitating the bridge over Marshalls Creek in the Village, and paving the existing portion of US 209 between the Village and northern end of the Bypass (this will be designated Business Route 209 when the Bypass opens). This final work will take place in the fall and possibly through the spring of 2013.

Stage 3 improvements include relocating Route 209 as a two lane highway around Marshalls Creek, along with intersection improvements on several secondary roads in Smithfield and Middle Smithfield townships.

Leeward Construction, Inc. of Honesdale, Pa. is the general contractor on the $18.2 million Stage 3 of the US 209 Marshalls Creek Bypass project.

Stage 1 construction included improvements at several intersections (Route 209 and Buttermilk Falls Road, Buttermilk Falls Road and River Road, and Route 209 and River Road) along the existing Route 209 corridor along with improvements to Oak Grove Drive and circulatory roads in the White Birch Estates. The $14.2 million Stage 1project was completed in 2007.

Stage 2 construction included a 400-plus-space Park-and-Ride Lot on Route 209 located at the intersection with Mt. Nebo Road/Oak Grove Drive; a relocated section of Oak Grove Drive – which included construction of a new bridge carrying the relocated roadway over Pond Creek; a new signalized intersection of realigned Oak Grove and Mt. Nebo Road at Route 209; and various improvements to the storm water management system along Route 209 north of Marshalls Creek. The $6.3 million Stage 2 project was completed in 2009.

For more information, please visit the project website, www.marshallscreektrafficrelief.com.