State transportation officials stated on Monday that over $528 million will be used for 100 road projects in four counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania this year.
The projects involve various tasks such as restructuring a highway interchange in Rostraver and enhancing traffic signal features at nearly 50 crossings.
These projects will cost around $528 million, which includes both federal and state funding for work in PennDOT District 12 covering Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington and Greene counties.
The effort to upgrade and reshape the interchange at Interstate 70 and Route 51 in Rostraver has been ongoing through two winters. Once completed, it will become the second “diverging diamond” interchange in District 12, enabling drivers on Route 51 to turn left onto the interstate without crossing an opposing lane of traffic.
The diverging diamond pattern, which was installed in 2016 at I-70 and Route 19 in Washington County, involves traffic lanes crossing over and being controlled by signals.
Bill Beaumariage, District 12's assistant district executive for construction, described the project as one of the most expensive ones in the district.
The $120.6 million cost incorporates updates to a 3-mile section of I-70 and a 1.5-mile stretch of Route 51.
Following a media preview of District 12 construction plans at the Brownsville Borough office on Monday, PennDOT workers were busy adjusting traffic signals and signs on Route 51 to prepare for a planned April 8 shift in lane restrictions. Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction for approximately 18 months.
As construction continues, crews will concentrate on rehabilitating the Smithton High-Level Bridge on I-70 over the Youghiogheny River, east of the interchange, as well as replacing and aligning the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Bridge over Route 51.
The general contractor, Golden Triangle Construction, has until October 2027 to finish the project. However, Beaumariage predicts that the physical road work will be completed by the fall of 2026.
In September, PennDOT plans to accept bids for the improvement of the Arnold City interchange on I-70, just west of the Route 51 junction. Despite having less traffic, the interchange will have a regular diamond shape, with ramps being lengthened to meet modern standards, and a new roundabout will connect multiple roads on the south side of the interstate.
This project is expected to cost between $80 million and $90 million.
The Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project is a multi-year effort aimed at enhancing safety and traffic flow along the Route 981 corridor between Mt. Pleasant and Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity. The project involves realigning the road, softening curves, and updating intersections.
This fall, work is set to be completed on the southernmost of three segments in Mt. Pleasant Township, at a cost of $55.2 million. Construction crews from Walsh Construction are beginning work on a roundabout intersection in the village of Norvelt. Additionally, roundabouts have been added at the intersections of routes 981 and 819, and at 981 and State Street.
Rachel Duda, who is the District 12 District Executive, has always aimed to enhance safety and save lives in the transportation system.
PennDOT is working on updating bridges and culverts by replacing some and rehabilitating others.
In Westmoreland County, PennDOT is finishing repairs on a culvert on West Leechburg Hill Road. Additionally, they are continuing work on the I-70 bridge over the Monongahela River, the Route 30 bridge over the Pennsylvania Turnpike Route 66, and have just started work on the Route 136 bridge over Route 30 in Hempfield.
Beaumariage stated that the focus is on preserving assets in order to use them for as long as possible before replacing them.
PennDOT is using different approaches for two historically significant bridges.
In Brownsville, the plan is to take two years to replace a bridge that carries Market Street over Dunlap Creek. Despite being short, the bridge has a long history and no weight limit… It was built in 1839 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is known as the first cast-iron metal arch bridge in the nation.
Beaumariage explained that the $8.9 million project aims to restore the bridge to its original 1839 condition by disassembling it, shipping the pieces for refurbishment and repairs, and then reassembling it.
A pedestrian bridge will be built nearby to allow people to view the underside of the historic bridge.
The goal is to preserve the great work of our ancestors.
The much longer bridge, which is a 118-year-old metal truss bridge crossing the Kiski River between Bell Township and Kiski Township, will be replaced with a new bridge downstream in a $33.2 million project set to finish in the summer of 2027. Salina BridgePennDOT is expected to contribute $665,000 to the Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program to offset the loss of the historic bridge. Pieces of the bridge will be preserved and given to the Bell Township Historical Society, and interpretive panels will be placed at the trailhead for the Roaring Run Watershed Association.
The project includes the replacement of other bridges in Westmoreland, such as the Route 711 bridge over Hendricks Creek, a tributary to Tubmill Creek, and a tributary to Loyalhanna Creek, as well as several more bridges in different townships.
PennDOT's contribution to the Historic Metal Truss Bridge Capital Rehabilitation Program is expected to be $665,000 to help mitigate the loss of the historic bridge. Additionally, pieces of the bridge will be preserved and given to the Bell Township Historical Society, and interpretive panels will be placed at the trailhead for the Roaring Run Watershed Association.
PennDOT plans to replace various bridges in Westmoreland, including Route 711 over Hendricks Creek, a tributary to Tubmill Creek, and a tributary to Loyalhanna Creek. Additionally, bridges on School Road, Route 119, Route 356, Hulton Road, Route 906, Lenity School Road, Brush Creek Road, Fairwood Manor Bridge, and Route 982 will be replaced.
PennDOT plans to spend $871,000 in District 12 to update certain traffic signals with buttons for pedestrians to push. This will trigger a signal indicating it's safe to cross the street. The upgrades are planned at 48 sites, including 32 in Westmoreland County, with a focus on pedestrian safety.
In response to safety concerns and crash histories, PennDOT is completing the installation of two overhead warning beacons. These are located at Route 201 and Ridge Boulevard in Fayette County’s Dunbar Township, and at Route 217 and Pizza Barn Road in Derry Township, addressing motorist safety concerns.
Officials from PennDOT have observed complaints and an increase in crashes at the Derry Township intersection. They are recommending the installation of a beacon and signs warning of cross-traffic to address the issue.
Angela Baker, District 12 transportation planning manager, stated that the installation at Route 201 is finished, and the same will be done at Route 217.
