The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today work will begin Thursday, March 1 to preserve and rehabilitate 11 structures along Interstate 81 between Exit 124 (PA 61) and Exit 131 (PA 54) in New Castle, Ryan and Mahanoy townships, Schuylkill County.

Starting March 1 through 8, motorists will experience weekday single lane conditions in both directions of Interstate 81 between Exit 124 and Exit 131 between the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.Then beginning on March 9 and throughout the duration of the project, Interstate 81 will have 24-hour single lane conditions in both directions through the project limits.Motorists are advised to allow for extra time when traveling through the area.The preservation work includes deck and approach work to seven structures, and superstructure (deck and beams) repair or replacement on four structures.The project is expected to be complete in October 2012. All schedules are weather dependent.Trumbull Corporation of Pittsburgh is the general contractor on the $13,320,601 project.This section of Interstate 81 has an average daily traffic volume of 12,161 vehicles southbound and 12,421 vehicles northbound.