Anglers and motorists who travel across Pymatuning Lake between Espyville and Andover beware: You're going to have to find an alternate route.

The state Route 285 causeway linking Pennsylvania and Ohio will be closed from March 10 to May 15 so the Ohio Department of Transportation can rebuild a bridge, according to Joe Russell, waterways conservation officer with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

"That's a primary route from Ohio to Pennsylvania," Russell said. He said travelers are going to have to take a 20-mile detour either through Jamestown or Linesville.

Marion Nesbitt, manager of the Li'l'Bit Restaurant on Route 285, is worried. She said people detoured around the causeway won't drive by her restaurant and bait shop on the Pennsylvania side of the causeway

"I don't see why they can't keep one side (of the road) open so people can go back and forth or delay it for a year," Mrs. Nesbitt said. She said the project has been delayed before, and ODOT should wait until the economy picks up to do the work.

"What's one year after sitting and waiting all this other time?" she asked.

Besides the travel and economic impact, the closure will also disrupt the fishing season, Russell said.

Traditionally, the best time to fish for walleye is right after the ice goes off the water during March, April and May, Russell said. He said after May the water gets too warm.

Also walleye, pike and pickerel go out of season March 15 everywhere in Pennsylvania except Pymatuning Lake, Russell said.

PennDOT also has to repair a bridge on the causeway but agreed to wait until the end of August or beginning of September after the primary fishing and tourist season, Russell said. Only one lane will be closed for that work, he said.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at:
kgarrett@sharonherald.com