In Centre County, a long-discussed construction project at the county courthouse is now underway and one of the first procedures will include drilling near the courthouse.
Fencing is up and part of East High Street, next to the courthouse, is now closed to traffic and parking.
The upcoming construction of the just over $2.1 million project will surround the building.
The walls are well over a hundred years old. deteriorating and badly in need of repair.
One of the first steps will be to drill through the walls to focus on the retaining walls.
“If you look at the face of the retaining wall, it’s battered, or it tilts back. They’re going to drill into the ground, which will go under the road and then drive a soil nail in and grout around it.”
That will shore up the areas behind the walls, as work proceeds on the long-term fix. Still unknown is whether the construction will mean a temporary change for any courthouse offices or courtrooms.
“We’re playing it by ear. The courts have been all along in this process. The decision is to see how disruptive the activity will be, so the courts are remaining in place for the time being.”
Expect the detours and parking changes near the courthouse to be in place for months. Next year its expected the work will shift to the other side of the courthouse.