OIL CITY, Pa. - A change traffic patterns originally scheduled to on a stretch of Interstate 80 eastbound in Mercer County Friday has been delayed slightly.

Originally expected to begin, Friday, September 26, lane shifts from the Shenango River Bridge to the Route 318 Bridge and will include the area around the I-376 interchange are now set to begin Tuesday, September 30.

No reason was given for the delay.

Westbound traffic will remain shifted and one lane of eastbound traffic will turn adjacent to the westbound lanes, as currently deployed. Eastbound traffic should use this lane.

The second lane for eastbound traffic will be moved from the inside lane to the outside lane and shoulder adjacent to the work zone. Eastbound drivers will be able to exit to the I-376 interchange using this lane only.

This change is expected to be in place for several months and is part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) Interstate 80 Reconstruction Project.

The project consists of major improvements to the highway from the Ohio state line to mile marker 5 including milling, asphalt and concrete paving, concrete patching, drainage and guiderail upgrades, right-of-way fencing, concrete curbing, topsoit, seeding/mulching, highway lighting, signing, highway markers, line painting and permanent digital message boards.

Additionally, work includes repairs to five bridges including the replacement and widening of the bridges over Route 318 in Shenango Township. 

Construction began in April of 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2027.