Release Date: Friday, September 9th 2011

PennDOT District 11 Weekend Construction Summary Sept. 9-12

Pittsburgh, PA– PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists several highway and bridge improvements will be occurring in Allegheny County this weekend, Sept. 9-12.

All activities are weather permitting and subject to change. Motorists should plan their travels accordingly by anticipating highway work zones, slowing down, exercising patience and being safe.

PennDOT is also reminding motorists approaching lane restricted highway work zones to use all open lanes to the merge point. Please be courteous to other motorists and allow them to merge. The effectiveness of traffic flow in highway work zones is highly dependent on driver behavior. Using all lanes and allowing a consistent, courteous merge will reduce congestion and delay and help traffic move smoothly and safely through the work zone.

The HOV lanes on the Parkway North (I-279) are open to all outbound traffic on weekends after 7 p.m. on Friday and remain open until 5 a.m. on Mondays. In addition, the two passenger vehicle rule does not apply during weekend hours. To alleviate congestion, motorists are encouraged to use the HOV lanes to exit the downtown area following sports games and other events on weekends.    

Below is a summary of the major closings and restrictions this weekend:

Short-Term

I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Closures

Bridge/Ramp work

The closure planned for northbound I-579 this weekend has been canceled. If everything goes well, crews expect to complete the work Thursday  that has been requiring the daily/weekend closures.

The ramp from the westbound Boulevard of the Allies/Parkway East to northbound I-579 will still be closed this weekend from 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 9, continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12.

The ramp from the westbound Boulevard of the Allies/Parkway East to northbound I-579 (Crosstown Boulevard) will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12. Southbound single lane traffic on I-579 will also from 9 a.m. on Friday continuously through 5 a.m. on Sunday. 

Full release: Northbound I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Closures Continue Tuesday in Pittsburgh  

I-79

Roadwork

Traffic in both directions on I-79 will be restricted to a single lane from Washington County to ½ mile north of the Bridgeville interchange (Exit 54) from 7 p.m. Friday through 11 a.m. on Sunday. Southbound single lane traffic will start at 9 p.m. Friday.

Full release: I-79 Bridgeville South Improvements Begin Friday Night in Allegheny County

Parkway East/Central (I-376)

Bridge Inspection

A single lane closure will occur on the inbound (westbound) Parkway East/Central (I-376) in the area approaching the Oakland/Bates Street interchange (Exit 73) in City of Pittsburgh from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday for inspection activities on the bridge over Frazier and Swinburne streets.

Full release: Inbound Parkway East/Central Bridge Inspection Sunday Morning in Pittsburgh

Parkway North

Geotechnical Work

Traffic on the inbound (southbound) Parkway North (I-279) in Ohio Township, will be reduced to a single lane from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. Crews will continue stream bank repairs along southbound I-279 (Parkway North) between the Perrysville (Exit 5) and Venture Street/McKnight Road (Exit 4) interchanges.

Full release: Parkway North Inbound Single Lane Traffic Saturday Morning in Ohio Township  

Route 50

Traffic on Route 50 (Washington Road/Pike) and Greentree Road (Route 3052) in Collier Township and Heidelberg Borough will be reduced to a single lane in each direction from 8 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday in the following locations:

• Crews will be removing and replacing strip seal dams on the bridge that carries Greentree Road over Chartiers Creek (near the intersection with Route 50 across from Walgreens by the Exxon station,
• Route 50 will be reconstructed in the area of the Great Southern Shopping Center.

Full release: Route 50 and Greentree Road Single Lane this Weekend in Collier and Heidelberg

Long-Term

Boston Bridge

The Route 48 Boston Bridge in the Borough of Versailles and Elizabeth Township is closed through Sept. 27.

Full release: Route 48 Boston Bridge Long-Term Closure Postponed to July 5

Route 65

Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) in the City of Pittsburgh is closed long-term in both directions at the Marshall Avenue (Route 19) interchange continuously through late November 2011. Crews are rehabilitating the mainline Route 65 bridges at the interchange between the West End and McKees Rocks bridges. Traffic is being detoured using the on-and-off ramps to Beaver Avenue and California Avenue.

Full release: Route 65 Long-Term Closures Begin July 15 at Marshall Avenue Interchange in Pittsburgh

Route 28

Northbound Route 28 is reduced to a single lane between the 31^st and 40^th street bridges in the City of Pittsburgh through 2012.

Full release: Route 28 East Ohio Street Improvements Begin Aug. 23 at 40th Street Bridge in Millvale

Crosstown I-579 Bridges and Ramps

The bridges that connect Sixth and Seventh avenues to Washington Place over I-579 near the Civic Arena are closed continuously through mid-October 2011

Full release: I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Ramp Closures Long-Term Detours Begin this Weekend in Pittsburgh

Information Resources:

For more information, visit the District 11 website, www.dot.state.pa.us, click PennDOT near you, “11” under “roadwork”. PennDOT reminds motorists to call the construction hotline at 412-429-6035 for information and current activities on the Parkway East, Parkway West, Parkway North, I-79 and Route 28. All work is weather permitting.

Call 1-800 FIX ROAD to report roadway problems and concerns.

Log on to 511pa.comor call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling. The 511 system also automatically feeds Twitter accounts with information such as incidents, construction notices and weather alerts. The Pittsburgh/Southwestern-region account, www.twitter.com/511PAPittsburgh, covers Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Follow PennDOT to receive real-time updates.

District 11 offers specialized information for particular roadways and projects. Potential email subscribers should specify preferences for receiving information for the following categories:

• All roadways and bridges in Allegheny, Beaver or Lawrence counties;
• Weekend work and restrictions in Allegheny County (this will only include restrictions and work activities that occur on weekends);
• Parkway East (I-376);
• Parkway West (I-376) ;
• Parkway North (I-279);
• Interstate 79; 
• West Liberty Avenue and Liberty Tunnel Improvements; 
• Route 28 (Allegheny Valley Expressway);
• Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard);
• Route 48 Boston Bridge;
• I-579 (Crosstown Boulevard);
• Route 50, and
• Route 19 Wexford Flats Project.

Potential subscribers should send their email address and location preferences to Press Officer Jim Struzzi at jstruzzi@state.pa.usor contact the PennDOT District 11 Press Office by phone at 412-429-5010.

Media Contact: Jim Struzzi, Press Officer

(412) 429-5010 (Office)

(412) 292-9357 (Cell Phone)

Source:PennDOT Engineering District 11