INTERSTATE 70 PROJECT
Phase: Construction
Location: Westmoreland County
Anticipated cost: $120.7 million

Project Schedule

Preliminary Design:
Completed
Environmental Clearance:
Completed 11/13/2019
Right-of-way Acquisition:
Completed
Final Design:
Completed
Construction:
2022-2026

Single-Lane Closures Begin Oct. 16

Single-lane closures will be in place on I-70 between Exit 49 (Smithton) and Exits 46A/46B (Route 51) Eastbound and Westbound on October 16, 17, and 18 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Route 51 Single-Lane Restrictions Begin Oct. 3

New single-lane restrictions are scheduled on northbound Route 51 from October 3, 2024 through July 2025. Traffic will be moved into the newly-constructed northbound lanes of Route 51 to reconstruct the existing southbound lanes for the new Diverging Diamond Interchange. Work will include but is not limited to full-depth reconstruction of the roadway, updated drainage, updated lighting and traffic signals, and completion of the westernmost structure carrying Route 51 over I-70. Read more information in the press release.

Motorists are urged to drive with caution and be attentive to changing traffic patterns in the work zones.

2024 Construction Updates

The ramp from southbound Route 51 to eastbound I-70 was reopened on July 18 and the temporary left turn lane at the northbound Route 51 to eastbound I-70 was closed.

Traffic pattern changes for the 2024 construction season began Tuesday, April 16, at the intersection of I-70 and Route 51 while crews construct the new Diverging Diamond Interchange. All timeframes are dependent on weather and operations. See traffic mapping here.
  • Single-lane traffic will be implemented on Route 51 from McKenery Drive/Snyder Lane to Cobble Lane/Porter Road through November. Existing northbound lanes will be closed and shifted into the southbound lanes. There will be one lane in each direction with left turn standby lanes at intersections.
  • No traffic restrictions are anticipated on mainline I-70, west of the Matthew Smelser Memorial Bridge.
  • The relocated section of Finley Road is open to traffic! The previous Finley Road access nearest the interchange is closed.
  • Ten-feet wide lane restrictions will be in place throughout the Route 51 work zone.
  • Height and width restrictions will remain in place on Route 51 until the existing Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad bridge is removed in fall 2024.

    Construction at the I-70/Route 51 Interchange began in late 2022 and is expected to continue through 2026. Track construction progress with updated construction photos.

    Project Overview

    This project includes improvements to I-70 and Route 51. I-70 will be reconstructed to make this section of I-70 similar to other reconstructed sections of I-70 to the east and west. A Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) will be constructed to replace the current substandard cloverleaf interchange at I-70/Route51.

    One mile of Route 51 will be reconstructed and widened from south of Ridge Road to north of Concord Lane/Pfile Lane. Route 51 will also be milled and paved from Concord Lane/Pfile Lane to Harper Drive. Finley Road will be relocated behind the GetGo to form a four-way intersection at Route 981 and a left-turn lane will be added from Route 51 to Ridge Road. Planned improvements are detailed in the project overview video below.

    An informational project brochure is available to view online or download and print to share project information with the community.

    Project Mapping

    View project mapping to learn more details about this area.

    Download

    PennDOT Contact

    Name: Dominec Caruso, P.E.
    Organization: PennDOT District 12
    Title: Assistant Construction Engineer
    Phone: 724-439-7286
    Email: dcaruso@pa.gov

    Construction Contact

    Name: Bryan DeAngelis
    Organization: PennDOT District 12
    Title: Inspector in Charge
    Phone: 724-333-0793
    Email: brdeangeli@pa.go

    2024 Construction Highlights




    I-70

    Crews will complete the westbound shoulder and temporary widening of I-70. Construction activity will be outside of the travel lane, and no significant work-related restrictions are anticipated in 2024.





    Route 51 Over I-70

    Construction on the easternmost structure of the new bridge that will carry the southbound lanes of the DDI traffic pattern will continue. The existing bridge remains open to traffic.



    Northbound Route 51

    The demolition of the existing structure carrying Route 51 over I-70 will be completed, and the new structure over I-70 will be built and opened to traffic.

    New Ramps

    The ramps and the diverging diamond on Route 51 will be built and opened to traffic.






    Matthew Smelser Memorial Bridge

    Blasting, painting and steel repairs will be finalized on the Matthew Smelser Memorial Bridge.




    Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Bridge

    Crews will complete the relocation of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Bridge. Width and height restrictions will remain on Route 51 until the old bridge is removed by fall 2024. Train traffic will shift to the new bridge in early summer 2024.




      Finley Road Intersection

      Final tie-ins and signals at the Finley Road Intersection will be concluded. The original Finley Road access to Route 51, nearest the interchange, will be closed and a cul-de-sac will be constructed.






      Sanitary Sewer Work

      Crews will complete the sanitary sewer work for Rostraver Township Sewer Authority (RTSA).

      Project Overview Video