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

Project Schedule

Preliminary Design:
Completed
Environmental Clearance:
Completed
Right-of-way Acquisition:
Completed
Final Design:
Completed
Construction:
2022-2026

Lane Closures Planned April 20-22

Single-lane closures are scheduled to occur on Route 981 and Route 51 from 5:00 PM on Monday, April 20 until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, April 22.

    During these restrictions crews will be performing full depth reconstruction of the roadway for intersection of Route 981 and Route 51.

    2026 Marks Final Construction Season

    The final construction season will focus on completing remaining ramp connections, finishing DDI interchange features, and restoring all lanes of I-70 to their permanent configuration. Details include:

    • Early April: Conduct driveway tie-ins along Route 51
    • Mid April: Establish I-70 westbound permanent configuration
    • June: Single-lane closures on Matthew Smelser Memorial Bridge to replace expansion dams and place epoxy overlay
    • Late July/Early August: Wearing course paving along Route 51

    Tips for your safety and the safety of highway workers can be found here.

    Click here to enlarge image.

    Click here to enlarge image.

    Project Overview Video

    Watch this brief video to see how to safely navigate the DDI configuration.

    Construction at the I-70/Route 51 Interchange began in late 2022 and will continue through 2026. Track construction progress with 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: Andrew Stacy
      Organization: PennDOT District 12
      Title: Community Relations Coordinator
      Phone: 724-415-3710
      Email: anstacy@pa.gov

      Construction Contact

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