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PennDOT Previews 2018 Southwest Region Construction

Mon March 19, 2018 - Northeast Edition #6
Construction Equipment Guide

Gov. Tom Wolf announced that roughly 146 highway and bridge projects are anticipated to begin or continue across the seven-county southwest region during this construction season. (pa.gov photo)

Gov. Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Leslie S. Richards highlighted transportation investments as PennDOT announced that roughly 146 highway and bridge projects are anticipated to begin or continue across the seven-county southwest region during this construction season.

“We have improved thousands of roadway miles and bridges in recent years and that progress will continue this year,” Wolf said. “While we advance these much-needed projects, I also have committed more investment to rural and local infrastructure.”

Complementing the significant projects in the southwest region, Gov. Wolf recently reinforced the administration's commitment to rural roads with new plans to improve more than 1,100 rural and low-volume roadway miles and rehabilitate or replace at least 85 municipally owned bridges over five years.

“As spring approaches, I am excited that the department can deliver on these much-needed construction projects to meet the needs of our motoring public,” Richards said. “The attention given to our transportation system will significantly improve the commute for the traveling public.”

The announcement was made at the PennDOT District 11 Engineering Office in Bridgeville, Allegheny County, during a collaborative briefing with the District 11 and 12 District executives to discuss new and continuing projects the public will see throughout the 2018 construction season. The department anticipates investing more than $434 million in the region this year.

In the PennDOT Engineering District 11 region spanning Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties, PennDOT anticipates rehabilitating, reconstruction and resurfacing 150 mi. of highways and improving 68 bridges this year.

“As our road system has faced a difficult winter, we look forward to the record number of projects going to construction this year in our region,” said District 11 District executive, Cheryl Moon-Sirianni. “Our goal is to keep the roads as safe as possible for both our workers and the traveling public and we ask for patience while these important projects are under way.”

Notable projects that will continue this year include:

Interstate 279 Parkway North improvement in Pittsburgh ($87.94 million);
I-376 — Airport to Business Loop 376 reconstruction in Allegheny County ($42.36 million);
Route 51 Elizabeth Bridge rehabilitation in Allegheny County ($31.30 million); and
Freedom Road Upgrade in Beaver County ($19.43 million).

Notable projects that are expected to begin this year include:

Route 28 improvement from Russelton to Butler County ($34.34 million);
Route 2108 Forbes Avenue resurfacing from Birmingham Bridge to Beeler Street in Pittsburgh ($10.19 million);
Route 18/Old Broad Road improvement in Beaver County (estimated $10-12 million); and
U.S. 422 Benjamin Franklin Highway resurfacing in Lawrence County (estimated $9-12 million).

In PennDOT Engineering District 12 consisting of Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, the department expects 125 mi. of highways seeing repairs and resurfacing work, and 98 bridge improvements this year.

“Every year construction season reflects the culmination of years of extensive project development and coordination between the department, county, municipalities, and the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission in bringing projects to completion,” said District 12 District executive Joe Szczur. “We are happy to again begin the year's construction season with a large portfolio of projects ranging from bridge replacements, roadway resurfacing, surface improvements, signals, intersection improvements, general maintenance contracts, to the large-scale Interstate projects here in southwest Pennsylvania.”

Notable projects that will continue this year include:

I-70 – Beau Street to Route 519 reconstruction ($118 million);
I-70 – Bentleyville Interchange ($75.9 million); and
Route 31 Donegal Interchange ($19.8 million).

Notable projects that are expected to begin this year include:

I-70 – Route 31 Interchange ($66.9 million);
Route 356 truck climbing lane (estimated $15-$20 million);
Route 519 at Route 980 and I-79 (estimated $25-$30 million); and
Ohiopyle Multimodal Gateway (estimated $10-$15 million).

As construction projects are under way in the region, the traveling public can anticipate seeing many work zones and are urged to keep in mind their safety and the safety of highway workers. When encountering a work zone, please drive the posted speed limit, turn on your headlights, pay close attention to signs and flaggers and avoid all distractions. In high traffic locations, motorists are encouraged to use both lanes of travel to the merge point and are to take turns merging into the open lane.

For more information, visit projects.penndot.gov.