PA Turnpike To Build New Pittsburgh-Area Interchange

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has announced a new Westmoreland County interchange will be built where the turnpike crosses state Route 981 in Mount Pleasant Township.

The new interchange, around Milepost 80.8, will be built approximately 15 minutes south of the renovated Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. Turnpike officials said it will provide improved regional mobility and connectivity in the New Stanton area.

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Turnpike commissioners on Tuesday approved a change to its Fiscal Year 2027 10-Year Capital Plan today to fund the new connection's design. Turnpike officials said the project builds upon ongoing investments in the Route 981 corridor and reflects a commitment to strengthening Westmoreland County's transportation network, improving access, and supporting future economic growth.

"Westmoreland County is growing, and Route 981 is critical to that growth," said PennDOT Secretary and PA Turnpike Commission Chair Mike Carroll. "This new interchange builds on the more than $220 million we're already investing here, and will create an important connection for the region that paves the way for future opportunities."

When the interchange will be built remains a mystery. Turnpike officials said the project is in early stages of development, and cost and schedule details will be released as they become available.

According to turnpike officials, the project is feasible due to the turnpike's transition to Open Road Tolling (ORT), which will fully launch across the main turnpike system in January .

The cashless, free-flowing mode of collecting tolls without traditional toll plazas or toll booths, allows tolls to be collected as customers drive at highway speeds without slowing down or stopping beneath overhead structures — called gantries — located between interchanges. The system allows interchanges to be built with a smaller footprint and lower costs of the old design that required traffic to funnel on and off through a traditional toll plaza.

The project will be the first built using "Design-Build Best Value" procurement process, which allows the commission to award construction contracts to firms that offer the best value in terms of cost savings and time. That will allow for projects to be completed more quickly and at a lower cost.

When the interchange will be built remains a mystery. Turnpike officials said the project is in early stages of development, and cost and schedule details will be released as they become available.