Route 68 construction on schedule despite delay
Work to expand Route 68 in Butler and Connoquenessing townships resumed a few days after the July 13 rally for former President Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show grounds — and construction still is on schedule to be completed in November 2025.
Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., contractor for the $18.7 million Pennsylvania Department of Transportation project, stopped construction July 13 due to an anticipated increase in traffic for the Trump campaign rally.
Tina Gibbs, community relations coordinator for PennDOT District 10, said construction was stopped until July 16 because of the investigation into the shooting at the rally.
Despite the construction company “missing three shifts,” Gibbs said, the project is on track because the contract includes expected delays in construction.
“They missed Sunday overnight, Monday day and Monday night,” Gibbs said. “We have some built-in days [to account] for weather delays and late shipments.”
The three-year project includes signal replacements, turn lane installation and corridor improvements to enhance safety and reduce congestion along Route 68, according to PennDOT. The construction company has the option to work weekends, but Gibbs said PennDOT and the contractor were alerted to the Trump rally by Butler County, so they decided against working July 13.
Connoquenessing Township supervisor Angela Fleeger said Monday, July 22, that creating a traffic and safety plan was one of her top priorities for the rally, but the township was not involved in conversations with law enforcement in the days leading up to the rally.
“I wanted to make sure people were safe, that I didn’t have a traffic gridlock,” Fleeger said.
