River Road in Armstrong County set to close Aug. 15

A multi-million dollar construction project in Parks and Kiskiminetas Townships is the reason for a road and bridge closure on Route 56 scheduled for Aug. 15.

The affected area is near the intersection of River and Gravel Bar roads, from Vocelli’s Restaurant to Taps and Caps on River Road (Route 56).

The $4.9 million ongoing PennDOT Apollo Group Project, affecting three culverts in Armstrong County, is currently focused on Glorietta Bridge #1.

The project will replace structurally deficient bridges, with a goal of improving the roadway and safety for travelers and improve stormwater drainage.

Glorietta Bridge will undergo a replacement of the existing culvert, roadway construction, drainage improvements, guide rail upgrades and other miscellaneous construction items.

The work is set to start Aug. 15, according to PennDOT.

PennDOT District Manager Mark Strong said the bridge will reopen Aug. 27.

The contractor is Greensburg-based Plum Contracting.

Strong said crews will add two temporary turnaround options for drivers, one at Volcelli’s Pizza and another at Taps and Caps, north and south of the bridge closure, for unsuspecting motorists.

Average vehicle traffic for the area is more than 10,800 vehicles daily.

Volcelli’s assistant manager Amber Gartley said she expects to see an increase in demand for deliveries during the 12-day closure.

Gartley said customers can use a foot bridge that runs from the parking lot to River Road headed south, to access the restaurant while the bridge is closed.

“This is our first big closure. We’ve been dealing with this construction for months — it’s our first time with something like this,” Gartley said.

Gartley said customer delivery times will likely be longer, but they don’t anticipate a reduction in sales because they have been coordinating and plan to increase the number of delivery drivers during the work.

Marah Williams manages Taps and Caps, a specialty beer business, and said her customers have been asking about their hours during the closure.

She said the business will remain open, but she’s modifying operating hours and staffing will be cut down from two to one.

“We will have one shift, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” Williams said. “I think we’ll lose some sales and we’re pretty scared about that.”

Signs will be posted directing motorists along the detour route.

Detours:

• From North Vandergrift, take State Route 56 west to State Route 356 south, then State Route 66 north.

• From North Apollo, take State Route 66 south to State Route 356 north, then State Route 56 East.

Strong said the project is expected to be completed December 2023.

Motorists are encouraged to subscribe to the latest PennDOT news concerning the Apollo Group Project at www.penndotgov/District10