District 12 of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently disclosed comprehensive strategies for restoring roadways and bridges, including improvements to State Route 981 and I-79 in Washington County. These strategies aim to improve the infrastructure, address essential transportation requirements, and enhance the safety and efficiency of the region's road network.
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Road Rehabilitation and Bridge Preservation Plans
Work zones are designated with an increased frequency of orange signage along certain roadways. On Monday, Apr. 1, PennDOT District 12 revealed its plans for the upcoming construction season. State Route 981 is among these initiatives. PennDOT has stated that they intend to improve the commercial thoroughfare by modernizing the infrastructure. This project, which is estimated to cost $55 million, reportedly began in 2021 and is scheduled to be finished this fall. The road will be expanded to increase the number of trucks that can travel between Route 30 in Unity Township and Route 819 in Norvelt.
As mentioned, resurfacing and rehabilitation will be conducted on I-79 from I-70 to Racetrack Road in Washington County. In the district encompassing Greene, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties, PennDOT will perform 94 miles of repaving and 500 miles of sealing. This segment of the project is included in the plan. When summer and fall arrive, motorists should be prepared for some restrictions on overnight driving.
According to PennDOT's plans, 28 bridges will be saved, while 45 will be rehabilitated or replaced. After undergoing maintenance and reconstruction, the Dunlap's Creek Bridge in Brownsville, Fayette County, will be disassembled and reassembled. Since its construction in 1839, this bridge is considered the nation's first cast iron metal arch bridge. On Market Street, drivers will be subject to complete closures until December of the following year; however, it is hoped that this will be completed earlier.
Among the other improvements, work is being done on Route 21 in the Waynesburg region. Two distinct projects are in progress. Over the Tollgate Run, they are replacing the existing bridge. Flaggers will be in charge of controlling traffic. Work will continue until the fall.
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Addressing Pedestrian's Safety
PennDOT intends to spend $871,000 across District 12 to replace specific traffic signals with buttons that individuals can push to trigger an alert indicating that walking across the street is safe. This is part of the department's effort to address pedestrian safety concerns. Ongoing signal enhancements are planned for 48 locations, 32 of which are located in Westmoreland County.
Accordingly, PennDOT is in the process of completing the installation of two overhead caution signals in response to concerns over the safety of motorists and the history of accidents. These signals are located at the intersection of Route 201 and Ridge Boulevard in Dunbar Township, Fayette County, and Route 217 and Pizza Barn Road in Derry Township.
After receiving complaints about the crossroads in Derry Township and observing an increase in the number of collisions that have occurred there over the past few years, officials from PennDOT suggested that it be equipped with a beacon and signage that alert drivers of the potential for cross-traffic.
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