Stahl Sheaffer provided planning, design, and construction management services to EQT Corporation (EQT), in partnership with PennDOT Engineering District 3-0 (District 3-0), for the Upgrade Partnership Project to improve SR 44 (Coudersport Pike) Section 103 in Lycoming County. This specific initiative was originally focused on a 4.42-mile stretch of road between Ramsey and Waterville in Watson and Cummings Townships, a heavily traveled critical corridor for local commuters and the public accessing recreational amenities in Pine Creek Gorge and for oil and gas companies operating in the area. The geology along the corridor exhibits a history of instability that manifests in the form of slips, presenting a potential risk to planned heavy hauling activities and the safety of the public traveling on Coudersport Pike or using the Pine Creek Rail Trail downhill from the road. The roadway surface was also nearing the end of its lifecycle, making this initiative a prime candidate for the PennDOT Upgrade Partnership Program (a collaboration with the private sector to accelerate infrastructure improvements). Stahl Sheaffer completed planning, geotechnical investigation, engineering design, and construction management for the entire project; addressed all the project complexities and challenges; and ensured the project met all requirements of the Upgrade Partnership Program agreement between EQT and District 3-0. After scope and budget evaluations, EQT and District 3-0 agreed that adding another 5.4 miles of badly needed road upgrades would maximize the safety improvements given the potential available funding. The total project length was increased to 9.8 miles from the bridge over Pine Creek just north of US-220 to the bridge over Little Pine Creek in Waterville.

Since the PennDOT Upgrade Partnership Program operates under an accelerated schedule, constant communication and coordination between the partners was imperative. Stahl Sheaffer and District 3-0 optimized design and review activities to ensure the accelerated preparation of bid documents. This close coordination allowed Stahl Sheaffer to ensure that the design and construction not only met PennDOT’s schedule but also exceeded EQT’s timeframe. Stahl Sheaffer managed continuous communication between EQT, District 3-0, and the contractor to ensure ongoing awareness and rapid resolution of issues in the field, flexibility to adjust the schedule as needed, and agreement on innovative design solutions. Positive results included:

• Completion of both design and construction activities in just 2 years’ time, meeting EQT and District 3-0 schedules.

• Exceptional maintenance of traffic throughout construction with no road closures, avoiding a 31-mile detour and associated public inconvenience.

• Enhanced route resilience to withstand disruptive weather events and anticipated increases in truck traffic, ensuring the safety of the travelling public.