Lake Chillisquaque spillway project update: Truck traffic to increase this week, blasting no longer necessary

Blasting will no longer be necessary for the Lake Chillisquaque spillway update project thanks to progress done so far via heavy equipment at the site, according to Tim Bittle, the PA director for Orion Strategies. 

"The spillway upgrade project has been in the excavation phase since spring and remains on schedule.  Excavation work is expected to wrap up this month, as noted on the website timeline," he said in a recent email update. "The project team had good success using heavy equipment to expand and deepen the spillway channel, and as a result, we are pleased to report that blasting will not be necessary."

However, he did suggest that local residents can expect increased truck traffic in the coming week.

"Excavated material will be crushed on site and trucked to an area on the Montour power plant property. Beginning the week of August 24, truck traffic will increase along Preserve Road to Strawberry Ridge Road as crushed excavated material is moved. This will occur during daylight hours, Monday through Friday and is expected to take a number of weeks to complete," he shared in the update. "The Warrior Run School District Superintendent has been notified of the traffic. He does not anticipate an impact on school traffic and has also notified the bus company."

The next phase of the project will involve preparing the rock surface for installation of the stepped drop structure, including industrial pressure washing of the rock surfaces.

​"Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) will then be applied. RCC will be prepared offsite and delivered in batches by a local trucking company," he shared. "Because this is specialized concrete, placement is best performed under cooler temperatures generally seen at night and in the fall. We expect this to be a continual process to allow for proper application and curing to occur."

The currently closed portion of the Chilisuagi Trail will remain closed for the duration of the project, which is anticipated to last until the spring or mid-summer of 2027.

"We appreciate the community’s continued interest in the project and understanding as we make these improvements," said Bittle. "Please contact us with any questions or concerns."

Updates are available at ​spillwayupgrade.com