Route 61 Reconstruction Project Begins Today

A $115 million road project on Route 61 between St. Clair and Frackville begins today.

Eventually, PennDOT says this project will result in a full reconstruction of the Schuylkill County highway colloquially referred to as The Grade.

The work that began on Monday is just the first stage of that project.

Tree trimming and tree removal as well as utility relocation is planned during this phase of the project. According to Ron Young, PennDOT’s District 5 Press Officer (which covers Schuylkill County), this phase of the project will be concentrated on the area from Terry Rich Blvd., at the entrance to the Coal Creek Commerce Center, to just north of Darkwater Rd.

This phrase of the project is expected to last until mid- or late-Spring, according to Young. While work is ongoing, short-term lane restrictions will be in place on both the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 61 during daytime hours.

Full Scope of Route 61 (The Grade) Reconstruction

As mentioned, this is just the first phase of the full reconstruction of The Grade in Schuylkill County. This $115,574,431 project is being handled by JD Eckman Inc., of Atglen, Chester County.

The project calls for the following work to be completed by February 2029:

• Full depth pavement reconstruction
• Safety improvements, including realignment of several substandard curves
• Installation of a traffic signal at Darkwater Rd.
• Wider shoulders
• Reconstruction and/or rehabilitation of 8 culverts and 4 retaining walls, a bridge, slope stabilization, message boards, sign structures, ADA curb ramps and miscellaneous construction

To check on road conditions and potential delays in this work zone, visit 511pa.com for more information.