HARRISBURG – The Department of Transportation plans to advertise for bids for the Marshalls Creek bypass project Thursday.

"The Marshalls Creek Bypass project was completely stalled when I took office in 2005 and has suffered many setbacks in recent years, including having its funding completely eliminated at one point," said State Rep. John Siptroth, D-Monroe/Pike. "I made a commitment when I was elected to push this project through, and though we faced many obstacles, I was able to convince PennDOT to begin construction of the first phase."

Siptroth said when PennDOT announced it could not fund this important project, he continued to push to have the work done.

"After much negotiating and compromise, and the full backing of the NEPA Alliance and our senators that stood with me, we got everyone back to the table and kept this project alive," Siptroth said.

Siptroth said PennDOT anticipates it will award contracts for the project on April 1.