The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) outlined 146 road and bridge projects that are expected to begin in the upcoming construction season, dovetailing with plans to improve 1,100 miles of rural roads and to replace or rehabilitate 85 municipally-owned bridges over the next five years.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards highlighted more than $434 million in planned infrastructure improvements during a briefing held at the PennDOT District 11 Engineering Office in Bridgeville.
“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 have also committed more investment to rural and local infrastructure.”
Plans call for $87.9 million in improvements to Interstate 279 Parkway North in Pittsburgh, the $42.36 million reconstruction of the I-376 Airport to Business Loop and the $31.3 million rehabilitation of Elizabeth Bridge in Allegheny County.
“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.”
Plans also call for the reconstruction and resurfacing of 150 miles of highways and improvements to 68 bridges in District 11, which includes Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties.
“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,” District 11 District Executive Cheryl Moon-Sirianni said. “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 underway.”