PennDOT Unveils Construction Projects

This year’s PennDOT construction work will include $282 million worth of road and bridge improvement projects that hit every corner of Allegheny County.

About half of the money being spent on road projects in the county will be spent on bridge reconstruction.

PennDOT District 11 Executive Dan Cessna said during a press conference last week that the “most impactful” project in the Pittsburgh area will be reconstruction of the outbound lanes of the Squirrel Tunnels. That project is expected to cost close to $50 million and will include weekend closures beginning on March 22. There will also be various single-lane closures during nights to allow for work.

Crews will begin work to remove the outbound tunnel ceiling and continue rehabilitation and preservation work on the outbound bridge over Commercial Street. When overall work is completed, vertical clearance in the eastbound tunnel will increase from 13 feet, 6 inches to 14 feet, 9 inches.

Check back with Patch Tuesday for details about detours.

“You’re going to see a ton of work this summer,” Cessna said.

Also happening nearby this construction season:

• A $12.9 million project to replace the bridges that carry Route 30 (Ardmore Boulevard) over Electric Avenue in North Braddock and Chalfant boroughs.

• A $917,000 project to repair retaining walls on Route 130 (Tri-Boro Expressway) will continue to repair several bin wall retaining structures with soil nails, minor shoulder and guiderail work and other minor improvements between Monroeville Avenue and Patton Street in Wilmerding.

• A $13.4 million project to rehabilitate the “T” leg of the elevated East Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard and Tri-Boro Expressway will continue intersection in East Pittsburgh Borough and North Versailles Township.

Construction also continues on the Liberty Tunnels to finish installing the smooth wall surface that will brighten the tubes and make them easier to be cleaned. The portal is also being rebuilt to its original configuration. There will be various detours this summer, including two separate 18-day detours in each direction in August that will route traffic around the tunnels.

“We’re anxious to get the tunnels put back together so they’re easy to clean,” Cessna said.

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