CRANBERRY TWP — Major roads in and around the township have been backed up more than usual week as crews do bridge work on Interstate 79.

Work is occurring on I-79 between mile 80 and 81 in both the north and south lanes, according to Deborah Casadei, PennDOT public information officer. On Thursday and Friday, crews were doing guide rail work, as well as repair work on the North Boundary Bridge. Additional work has been ongoing from just north of Harmony to the Lawrence County line.

That work caused heavy traffic backups on I-79 in both directions, as well as on Route 19 in Cranberry as motorists sought alternate routes. Casadei said the work was expected to be completed by 4:30 p.m. Friday, but that time could be extended due to the type of work being completed.

“(Guide rail) work is a slow moving operation,” she said.

She said work also includes paving, milling and patching, and is also being done during overnight hours.

In the meantime, Casadei suggested motorists subscribe to the 511PA.com service, which gives them alerts when traffic is backed up and when a road is clear. Additionally, she said using the travel application Waze on a mobile device provides up-to-the-minute information and alternate routes.

If work is happening, Casadei said motorists should allow for extra time to get to their destination, and should try to seek alternate routes when possible. She said signs are in place letting motorists know work is happening and traffic backups could occur.

“This summer, they should expect a lot of construction on I-79 in our area,” she said.