SR 61 Waterline Relocation

The SR 61, Section 014M Waterline Relocation project was completed to resolve utility conflicts associated with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) SR 61 reconstruction between Frackville and St. Clair, Pennsylvania. The work required relocating critical infrastructure while maintaining uninterrupted water service to customers throughout construction.

Benesch served as the prime engineering design consultant, working closely with the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority (SCMA) to design the relocation of approximately 20,000 linear feet of water mains, ranging from 10 to 20 inches in diameter. The project also included the rehabilitation of two bridges over Mill Creek and upgrades designed to accommodate the future Schuylkill River Trail.

A key element of the project was the creation of a dedicated utility corridor outside the PennDOT right-of-way. Relocating water mains and communication lines onto SCMA-owned property reduced congestion, minimized permitting requirements and avoided additional right-of-way acquisition, while improving long-term access and maintainability.

Advanced design and construction strategies supported efficient delivery. The team used 3D modeling and GIS-based utility mapping to identify conflicts early and refine alignments during design, while trenchless construction methods, including horizontal directional drilling, allowed new piping to be installed with minimal surface disruption and limited impacts to traffic.

The project required coordination among multiple stakeholders, including SCMA, PennDOT, regulatory agencies and utility providers, as well as careful sequencing to maintain system reliability. Despite these complexities, the project was delivered on schedule and under budget, enabling the broader highway reconstruction effort to proceed without delay.

The completed project improves long-term system reliability, supports future infrastructure projects and provides a more maintainable utility system for SCMA and the surrounding community.