I-83 Mount Rose Avenue project: A timeline of events from start to unfinished
This summer will mark six years since work started on the Interstate 83 Mount Rose Avenue makeover.
And at this point, it's not clear when commuters will see relief from the narrowed lanes, bumpy pavement, and speed reductions.
The work originally was to take three years.
The state Department of Transportation and the contractor, Cherry Hill Construction of Jessup, Maryland, are locked in a legal battle over the delays.
Here's a look into what has happened since construction started:
What is the Mt. Rose/I-83 project?
It's a major makeover developed more than a decade ago to relieve the bottleneck and reduce crashes.
The interchange — formerly a diamond shape — is undergoing a nearly full reconfiguration. It includes loop ramps to improve safety and ease congestion.
The structure work for the project includes:
- Four new bridges
- Replacement and widening of three existing bridges
- Widening of three existing box culverts
- Construction of one new box culvert
- Construction of two new sound walls
Additionally, the project includes:
- New light signals at six intersections with real time traffic management
- Updated drainage and guide rail
- Signing and pavement markings
- Highway lighting
- Mill Creek stream relocation and mitigation
- Closed-circuit television traffic camera installation
2015:Cherry Hill construction company is the low bidder
Six companies, including locals Kinsley Construction and G.A. & F.C. Wagman Inc., bid on the project.
Cherry Hill Construction Inc. of Jessup, Maryland, submitted the lowest bid of $58.3 million and was awarded the project.
More: PennDOT: Mount Rose makeover bid comes in at $58.3 million
August 2015: Mount Rose Avenue reconstruction underway
On Aug. 14, 2015, PennDOT announced work began on I-83 and Mount Rose Avenue. The completion date was June 2018. The contractor had cleared trees and was working to install several temporary storm water detention basins.
May 2017: Project falls behind schedule, cost increases
The project was delayed due to utility relocation, and a bridge foundation had to be redesigned. PennDOT extended the contract until November 2018.
The cost of the project had also increased by $1.2 million to account for additional work. The total: $59.5 million.
More:I-83 at Mt. Rose: Project to take longer than expected
July 2018: Work will extend into 2020
Work on the makeover was predicted to extend into 2020, a PennDOT spokesman said in July 2018.
At that time, PennDOT officials expected that the project would be in its final configuration by the end of 2019, and crews would return in the spring of 2020 for the final paving.
But on July 24, 2019, the contractor said it expects to finish the project in the third quarter of 2020.
Mike Keiser, district executive for PennDOT's District 8, listed the project at $59.7 million during a presentation to the York Economics Club breakfast that month.
More:I-83 Mount Rose makeover: Now PennDOT says work won't be done until ... WHAT, WHEN?!?!?
August 2018: Elected officials meet about project delays
Elected officials met with Keiser to discuss the delayed project.
State representatives explored legislation to change the bidding process for projects. They wanted to create more options rather than PennDOT being expected to choose the lowest bidder.
State Rep. Stan Saylor, R-Windsor Township, said he has spoken with U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker and U.S. Rep. Scott Perry about the matter. Any changes would need to come in a federal highway bill, because much of the funding comes from the federal government.
More:I-83 Mount Rose project: Changes made after frustration with 2-year delay
November 2018:New date for project completion
The deadline passed without the project being completed. PennDOT had extended the contract until Nov. 12, 2018, but the project did not meet that deadline.
February 2019: Company being charged for each day project is late
Cherry Hill Construction is assessed $5,825 each day the project misses its deadline.
Additionally, the contractor is assessed with $4,885 per day for the detour loop that drivers still need to use to get to I-83 South from Mount Rose. The maximum number of days allowed for the loop ended on Feb. 9, 2019.
More:I-83 Mount Rose Avenue contractor being charged for each day project is late
More:I-83/Mt. Rose Avenue project: PennDOT makes good on threat to deduct money from contractor
May 2019: PennDOT withholds payment, contractor fires back
In a letter, PennDOT informed Cherry Hill Construction that it would be withholding payment as a penalty for missed deadlines.
By the end of March, penalties totaled more than a million dollars.
Meanwhile, in a letter dated May 3, 2019, Cherry Hill Construction said PennDOT's stance was "very troubling." In the letter, the company states it "encountered delays and disruptions not of our making ... "
More:I-83/Mt. Rose Avenue project: PennDOT makes good on threat to deduct money from contractor
July 2019: The contractor is assessed additional penalty
In addition to the $10,710 being charged daily, the contractor faces an additional penalty of $14,000 per day for the long-term speed reductions on the highway. PennDOT warned in a letter that the speed reductions should end by July 20, 2019.
More:'It's exasperating': I-83 Mount Rose project likely headed to judicial board over disputes
More:249 days late: I-83 Mt. Rose makeover will not be done this year. Penalties set to increase
December 2019: Contractor says PennDOT owes it more money
Cherry Hill Construction filed a 26-page claim with the state Board of Claims, seeking an additional $24 million for the project.
The tribunal acts as a trial court for contractor claims filed against the state.
In the filing, the company seeks an extension on the project and a reversal of monetary damages being assessed. The contractor alleges that delays were caused by PennDOT.
Some of the reasons for the delays included crews hitting a water source while undercutting in the area of a structure and removal of the debris that was uncovered during excavation of a ramp.
More:Contractor on long-delayed I-83/Mount Rose project says PennDOT owes it more money
January 2020: PennDOT responds; commuters see little work at site
PennDOT filed its response to the contractor's claim, saying Cherry Hill is not entitled to more time or money. The department says it was the contractor's actions that resulted in the delays.
Meanwhile, commuters posted on social media that they had not recently seen workers on the site. Cherry Hill says it's the delays caused by PennDOT that are hampering its progress, and the only work being done is "clean up."
PennDOT declined to respond to the contractor's allegations because of the legal dispute. However, the department pointed out there are limited opportunities to pave during winter — something the contractor said PennDOT was holding up— because laying any base course is temperature-dependent.
More:Why you often see no workers at long delayed I-83/Mount Rose Ave. project site
February 2020: PennDOT says project could extend into 2021
PennDOT says the project might not be finished until the end of the year or even the spring of 2021.
State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-York Township, spoke with acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian about the project during a budget hearing.
The contractor planned to present PennDOT with a new schedule.
"I can't give you a date, but I'm hoping that the project gets done by the end of this year, beginning of next year — the latest the spring of 2021," Gramian said.
March 2020: Coronavirus shutdown halts work; project has been 'a pain in the backside' for area businesses
Local businesses shared their frustrations over the drawn-out project just days before construction came to a halt because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
PennDOT suspended all construction projects in the state on March 16 to help slow the spread of the virus.
Some businesses, such as Nello Tire, said they have seen a decrease in business as a result of the ongoing construction.
"The whole project's been a pain in the backside ever since it started — for us, anyway," Calvin Ashman of Nello Tire said.
The auto and truck service center also lost 3½ acres of its property — including a warehouse and truck tire shop — to the interchange improvement project.
More:Interstate 83: From weightlifter to Case & Keg, icons have come and gone over the years
March 2020: Parent company of contractor in acquisition talks
Tutor Perini Corp, the parent company of Cherry Hill, was in talks to be acquired by another company.
Reuters reported that private equity firm Apollo Global Management Inc. made a nearly $1 billion offer for the construction company.
"We do not anticipate any impacts since our contract is with Cherry Hill Construction," PennDOT spokeswoman Alexis Campbell said at the time.
April 2020: Construction resumes after shutdown because of pandemic
PennDOT ordered work to restart on 61 critical highway and bridge projects, including Mount Rose Avenue.
The projects were selected to address a safety need, or if left unfinished for an extended period of time, could become a safety problem, PennDOT spokeswoman Alexis Campbell said.
May 2020: Loop to I-83 South ends
Crews made major traffic switches at the interchange, including taking away the loop to access I-83 South.
For 2.5 years, drivers had to use an access road near the York Water Company, go up Green Hill Road and return to Mount Rose. Then they headed east on Mount Rose to reach the new ramp.
Now drivers can make a left turn at the traffic signal to get on the ramp.
More:Speeding through Pa. work zones is common, and it's really dangerous - for drivers
May 2020: Tutor Perini terminates acquisition talks
Tutor Perini reported that acquisition talks had been terminated because of continuing volatile market conditions, according to a news release.
The company said that under its policy, it will not comment on market rumors or make announcements about potential transactions unless it's required by law or otherwise necessary.
August 2020: New ramp opens, detour ends
A new northbound entrance ramp opened, ending a lengthy detour for drivers.
Drivers traveling eastbound or westbound on Mount Rose Avenue can head south on Haines Road to access the new ramp to I-83 North at the signal light.
The detour had involved drivers traveling to the Queen Street interchange to get on the highway.
Cherry Hill projected in August that the project would be completed in April 2021.
More:I-83/Mount Rose: The latest deadline for completion is ...
January 2021: PennDOT says completion is set for May
PennDOT says the contractor has told it that the project is expected to be completed in May.