Connoquenessing Township supervisor Terry Steinheiser is getting his wish when it comes to the speed limit on Evans City Road.

The chairman of the township supervisors said Thursday, Oct. 26 that while state Department of Transportation contractors are widening Route 68 next year, the speed limit will be 35 mph, instead of 55.

He said he has been advocating for years for a lower speed on that road, because of the number of traffic collisions that have caused injuries there.

The project involves putting in a turning lane on the road from Benbrook Road past Stevenson Road. Work should begin in spring 2024, and is estimated to take nearly two years to complete. According to Steinheiser, staff of utility companies already are moving water and sewer lines farther away from the road to prepare for the start of the construction portion of the project.

“It's still in the process; I believe the last thing they are doing is moving the gas lines,” Steinheiser said. “They will be starting in the spring, and it will be limited hours on when they are allowed to do work.”

Christina Gibbs, community relations coordinator for PennDOT, said Thursday construction on the road was delayed slightly because of supply chain issues. Work on the road may slow drivers down during construction, but the end product will create more efficient traffic movement, according to Gibbs.

“They are essentially doing the turning lanes and signal replacements; corridor improvements, a lot of times what you will see is the lanes are made wider,” Gibbs said. “That helps to deal with the increase in traffic that area is seeing these days. All the developments down there, it is mind-boggling. This project will help with that, it will have lanes that will help you turn when you need to.”

Gibbs said the project will cost an estimated $18.7 million, and work will be done by Glenn O. Hawbaker, a contractor based in Barkeyville.

Gibbs also said PennDOT will alert travelers about the expected times construction will take place on the road when the “spring thaw” gets closer.

Steinheiser said he will be happy to see work begin, although it may slow drivers down for a while.

“We haven't seen any designated construction times yet; I know they are trying to appease the general public with that,” Steinheiser said.