Elizabeth Avenue in Avalon is expected to open temporarily to traffic this weekend, and then permanently by the middle of next week. Weather permitting, the contractor planned to lay the binder course on Friday, and then pave the street early next week. Elizabeth Avenue had to be reconstructed from the Jackman Avenue intersection to Ohio River Boulevard. The street was undermined by thousands of gallons of water that gushed from a water pipe that was crushed when a tractor-trailer driver attempted to turn the corner onto Jackman and got hung up on a fire hydrant. Don’t expect free sailing once Elizabeth is re-opened, however. Lane restrictions are in place as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) works on the Route 65 widening project in Avalon. You’ll also find traffic restrictions on Route 65 in Emsworth, where sewer lines are being installed, and in the area of the I-79 interchange while PennDOT works there. The High Bridge in Bellevue also remains closed for reconstruction of the bridge deck and supports.

Photo by Connie Rankin for The Citizen