Three-Year Traffic Jam

In 1951 the section of US 322 / Atherton Street north of campus was widened from two lanes to five lanes, probably in response to significant growth in State College and Penn State University,. Until the mid-1980s when a US 322 by-pass was built around State College, Atherton Street was the only north-south route through the community. Even with the by-pass, Atherton remains a major thoroughfare, especially for those going to and from campus or downtown.

Over the last 65 years, Atherton Street north of campus and the College Heights neighborhood (shown in the above photo as farmland) developed into a alternative business district to downtown. Even with regular maintenance, the highway sustained significant wear and tear both to the surface and below ground as a result of more than 150,000 vehicles per day traveling on many sections. Camera examination showed the drainage system was collapsing. It also was time to replace water and gas mains and lateral lines. Additionally, traffic lanes were narrow and utility poles so close to the curb that CATA buses loose mirrors on a regular basis.

Reconstruction of this section of road began in 2017 and will extend through 2019. First came replacement of natural gas and water mains and lateral lines, and the movement of utility poles and underground communications lines. In process is the replacement of the storm sewer, curbs and sidewalks. To improve visibility the crest at the top of the hill will be lowered near an Exxon service station that has been a landmark on the corner of Atherton Street and Hillcrest Ave. since 1922. It originally was an Esso station and is the point from which most of the photos presented here were taken. Finally, the road will be resurfaced.

Throughout 2017 and 2018 traffic has been reduced to two lanes for 10-12 hours a day in multiple rolling construction sections. At least one business closure has been attributed to traffic issues. Albeit, the community very much looks forward to the late 2019 full reopening of an improved Atherton Street.