Safety enhancement work may bring short travel delays

Clearfield –Work to enhance safety along some northern Pennsylvania roadways got under way this week. Yesterday, crews began to trim trees and selectively remove others in Elk and McKean counties.

While the tree removal will eliminate some trees close to the road, the tree-trimming projects in Elk and McKean counties will remove tree branches. This process of trimming or removing overhanging branches is referred to as “daylighting.” Daylighting is performed to allow more sunlight to reach the road surface, preventing ice accumulation. Visibility is also increased through this practice.

The tree work could bring short travel delays through early December for area drivers. Motorists need to be alert for flaggers along the roadway and the possibility of stopped or slowed traffic near the tree-trimming activity. Roadways that will see trimming or removal activity in the two counties are:

• McKean County

Route 219, north of the 219/Route 59 intersection

• Elk County

Route 66 in the area of James City


Route 948 west of Johnsonburg

Route 1001 (Glen Hazel Road) north of Saint Marys


After the first of the year, crews will begin similar operations at a number of sites in Clearfield County. PennDOT will issue an update on that work prior to Jan. 1.

Richardson Tree Service of New Wilmington will perform the work in Elk and McKean counties. Drivers are reminded to obey posted speed limits, use caution in work zones and always buckle up.

In 2011, Pennsylvania experienced 1,286 highway fatalities, 58 percent of which involved a vehicle that left the roadway.

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