DOT urges truckers to follow posted route
BRADY TWP — The state Department of Transportation is asking tractor-trailer drivers to stick to the posted detour bypassing the closed section of Route 8 near Slippery Rock.
Deborah Casadei, a spokesman with PennDOT, said the state has received numerous complaints from residents saying commercial vehicles have been driving on local roads in the area. Casadei reported some residents have seen commercial vehicles using private driveways to turn around.
The state’s detour follows Routes 173 and 108 through Slippery Rock borough. The section of Route 8 between those two intersections is open only to local traffic.
The stretch of Route 8 is closed for the summer while crews replace a bridge over Slippery Rock Creek. The $1 million project is being done by JET Excavating and is expected to be finished by October.
About 10,000 vehicles passed through on Route 8 at the 173 intersection each day, according to PennDOT statistics.
Fewer than 5,000 vehicles per day typically drove on the now closed section of Route 8.
Much of the closed stretch runs through Slippery Rock Township.
Paul Dickey, chairman of the township supervisors, said he did hear some residents had concerns about truck traffic.
He said the township contacted state police to have them check on it, but said drivers likely just need time to get adjusted to the route change.
“The state just closed it,” he said of Route 8. “These are some growing pains.”
Ralston, Kiester and Branchton roads connect either Route 173 or 108 to Route 8 along the posted detour. Branchton Road and parts of Kiester Road have posted weight limits of 10 tons, according to PennDOT.
