PennDOT is implementing a relatively new approach aimed at extending the life of corrugated metal pipes that carry streams under roadways.

According to PennDOT, the work will start on April 29 in Venango County and work in Venango, Forest, and Warren will be completed by August 16.

Pipes under three roads in Warren County are slated for the treatment located on Ross Hill Rd. in Deerfield Township, Sanford Road in Eldred Township and Plank Road in Columbus Township.

“The pipes will receive shotcrete lining, a process that essentially sprays concrete at high velocity using compressed air, a hose, and nozzle,” PennDOT said in a statement. “The concrete lining is expected to extended the service life of each pipe by an estimated 50 years.”

According to PennDOT, this process “represents a significant cost savings versus replacing the pipes. PennDOT estimates it would cost in roughly $250,000 to $400,000 each to replace the region’s deteriorating corrugated metal pipes.”

Instead the total contract cost for six pipes in the three counties is $378,191.

“The total bid awarded to do the shotcrete treatment on the current group of five pipes is approximately $35,000 to $45,000 a pipe, which is an estimated cost savings in the $1 million to $1.7 million range.”

According to PennDOT, PennDOT District 1 first incorporated the strategy in 2017 and said that the largest pipes where “PennDOT plans to use the process are at least eight feet long and generally eight to 20 feet high.”

PennDOT said no detours are anticipated with this project, though motorists may encounter lane restrictions controlled by flaggers.