Midstate highway closed due to crane collapse, expected to open Saturday

UPDATE: 8/17/2018

(Harrisburg) — PennDOT reports Route 15 is open again in the northbound lanes between Route 304 in Winfield, Union County and Route 11 in Monroe Township, Snyder County.

Crews continue work to open Route 15 to southbound traffic.

PennDOT advises motorists traveling south on Route 15 from north of Winfield to use Route 304 West to Route 204 South to Route 522 North, then go south on Market Street (Route 2017) to Route 35 North to go south to Route 11/15.

Original story appears below.

(Harrisburg) — A heavily traveled midstate highway is closed until at least this weekend following a crane accident.

PennDOT officials say work crews were installing concrete beams on a new bridge over Route 15 between Winfield, Union County and Shamokin Dam, Snyder County, when a crane tipped over onto the beams.

A steel girder fell onto Route 15, damaging the road.

No one was injured. The incident is under investigation.

David Thompson, community relations coordinator with PennDOT’s District 3, said they are hoping to reopen the road by Saturday.

“There’s some work that needs to be done, there’s a couple damaged beams that need to be removed. We have to inspect the rest of the beams that are across the road,” Thompson said. 

Thompson added this incident is impactful, especially since other area roads are closed due to flooding and construction projects.

The area also sees increased visitors this time of year; the Little League World Series kicks off in Williamsport Thursday. 

PennDOT advises motorists use these detours while the road is closed: 

Route 15 northbound traffic (south of Selinsgrove) should use Route 35 South, Route 104 North, and Route 45 East to Route 15.

Route 15 Northbound traffic (north of Selinsgrove) should use Route 61 South to Route 147 North to Route 11 North to Route 54 West to I-80 West to Route 15 North.

Route 15 southbound traffic (north of Winfield) should use Route 304 West to Route 204 South to Route 522 North, then go south on Market Street (Route 2017) to Route 35 North to go South to Route 11/15.

Route 15 north of the Route 61 ramp is open to local traffic and nearby businesses.