New PA Turnpike Interchange: Work Begins On Massive Project

PENN TOWNSHIP, PA — Preliminary engineering has begun for a new interchange that will be built between the Irwin and Monroeville (Pittsburgh) exits. The interchange will like the turnpike and state Route 130 in Penn Township.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission believes the new interchange will provide improved access to neighboring counties and employment centers from the turnpike and encourage economic development in Westmoreland County.

The commission is preparing to send nearby property owners and businesses advising them that project team members may need access to or through their property to conduct field work, surveys, and environmental investigations.

This round of notification letters will not contain language regarding property acquisition, as it is too early in the project. After the preliminary phase concluded, the final design phase begins. It will include the design of of cross sections, structures, final right-of-way plans, roadway plans

and profiles, specifications, finalization of the interchange design concept, bid documents, and construction cost estimates.

After that, actual construction of the interchange will start. But it likely will be six to seven years before the interchange is open.