Why is Route 403 closed from Ferndale Avenue to Greenhouse Park? Here's what we know.

Madolin Edwards and Beth Ann Miller, The Daily American
Updated ·2 min read

CONEMAUGH TWP. ― PennDOT has closed Route 403-Tire Hill Road from Ferndale Avenue and Route 985 to Greenhouse Park, effective immediately and until further notice.

Route 403, from Benscreek, facing south toward Greenhouse Park and Tire Hill.
Route 403, from Benscreek, facing south toward Greenhouse Park and Tire Hill.

A PennDOT announcement on Saturday about the closure said road crews in the area observed damage because of heavy rain and high water, in addition to the existing minor settlement and cracking of the roadway. PennDOT said it was notifying the local school districts and their transportation companies, as well as the township, of the closure.

Steve Buncich, chairman of the Conemaugh Township Supervisors, said on Monday that the township was notified late Saturday about the road closure by PennDOT.

"Due to the appearance of additional subsidence in the area, PennDOT said they were closing the road as a precaution and would reevaluate the closure in 48 hours, which would be today (Monday)," he said.

There is a sign at the traffic light in Tire Hill notifying motorists to make the detour onto Krings Street, but Buncich said Route 403 is open as far as Greenhouse Park, so anyone wanting to reach the homes and businesses along that section of Tire Hill Road, or to go kayaking at Greenhouse Park, can still do so.

"It's unfortunate and a major inconvenience, because we know it is a main artery for people in the southern parts of the county to access the hospital (Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown), but in the abundance of caution, it was the safest thing to do," Buncich said.

He also confirmed that PennDOT was already planning to close that section of 403 to traffic in early July through mid-October, to construct a retaining wall to resolve recurrent roadway sliding issues in that area.

This project and other work that is underway in Conemaugh Township is all part of the two-year, Route 403 Corridor Improvements Project, which is making various improvements along a 13-mile stretch of the roadway from Hooversville to Benscreek, including pavement preservation, milling, resurfacing, guardrail and drainage upgrades, new signage and pavement markings, new curbing and sidewalks, tree trimming and removal, and upgraded traffic signals.

Motorists are encouraged to “Know Before They Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Route 403 - Tire Hill Road is closed from Ferndale Avenue to Greenhouse Park until further notice