PennDOT reveals construction plans for communities south of Pittsburgh
MOUNT PLEASANT, Pa. (KDKA) — Drivers can expect to see more orange along some of our roadways, and by orange, we mean work zones. PennDOT District 12 unveiled its construction season plans on Monday.
One of the ongoing projects in the area is the improvement of State Route 981. PennDOT aims to enhance its infrastructure to create a better route for commercial purposes.
This $55 million project, which commenced in 2021, is set to conclude this autumn. Its objective is to widen the road and facilitate smoother passage for trucks traveling from Route 30 in Unity Township to Route 819 in Norvelt.
Bill Beaumariage, Assistant Executive of PennDOT District 12, emphasized the necessity for a safer and more efficient road for the numerous customers in the region.
Bill Beaumariage, Assistant Executive of PennDOT District 12, emphasized the necessity for a safer and more efficient road for the numerous customers in the region.
Another significant endeavor is the reconstruction of the I-70 and Route 51 interchange. Over the past two years, crews have been diligently working on transforming the existing cloverleaf design into a diverging diamond configuration. This $120 million project aims to streamline traffic flow, enhance safety by minimizing points of contact, and provide longer acceleration and deceleration lanes. The completion is scheduled for October 2027, with ongoing construction activities expected.
Beaumariage highlighted the deficiencies of the current interchange design, noting its non-compliance with interstate criteria due to the presence of stop signs at certain ramp ends. The upcoming overhaul aims to address these issues.
In Washington County, PennDOT will be conducting resurfacing and rehabilitation work on I-79 from I-70 to Racetrack Road, as part of a broader initiative encompassing 94 miles of repaving and 500 miles of sealing across Greene, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties. Drivers should anticipate overnight restrictions during the summer and fall.
District 12 Executive Rachel Duda emphasized the importance of strategic investments to ensure optimal utilization of roads and bridges.
PennDOT’s plans also include the preservation of 28 bridges and the rehabilitation or replacement of 45 others. Notably, the historic Dunlap’s Creek Bridge in Brownsville, Fayette County, dating back to 1839 as the country’s first cast iron metal arch bridge, will undergo disassembly, repair, and reassembly. While full closures on Market Street are anticipated until next December, efforts will be made to expedite the completion.
Additional projects involve the improvement of Route 21 in the Waynesburg area, including the replacement of existing structures over Tollgate Run and milling and paving work on Route 19 and 21 (High Street and Greene Street) in Waynesburg, with single-lane restrictions anticipated during parts of the project duration.
