FRACKVILLE, Pa. — This is the aftermath of the blast as construction crews along Route 61 between Frackville and St. Clair work to move a mountain.

Throughout the process, workers close the northbound and southbound lanes on this almost 5-mile stretch of Route 61 for about 15 minutes. Then they plant explosives in the mountain to safely remove the existing ground.

The $115 million project began last year, each blast makes way for a new, safer roadway.

"Oh yeah, yeah, this intersection is prone for accidents for multiple reasons," said Brent Hentz, PennDOT District 5 Construction Manager.

Brent Hentz, construction manager for PennDOT District 5, says the sharp twists and turns on Route 61 are to blame for some of the crashes in the area.

This project, which he says is the largest non-i

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