Virtual meetings set to review Southwestern Pa.'s proposed 2021-24 transportation projects
Virtual public meetings are planned to allow citizens to learn about and comment on transportation improvements proposed in Southwestern Pennsylvania through 2024.
Since large gatherings are on hold during the covid-19 pandemic, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission will instead livestream public input sessions on the draft 2021-24 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
A session is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, concerning highway, bridge and transit system improvements proposed in PennDOT District 12 (Westmoreland, Fayette, Green and Washington counties).
A similar meeting will be livestreamed at 6 p.m. June 2 for projects planned in PennDOT District 11 (City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties).
Visit spcregion.org to access the meetings or to view archived videos that will be available the day after the sessions.
That website includes a summary of the TIP and a link for commenting on the transportation plans. Comments also may be submitted through 4 p.m. June 12 via email, at comments@spcregion.org, or by mail, sent to SPC Comments at Two Chatham Center, Suite 500, 112 Washington Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
The draft 2021-24 TIP proposes more than $5.6 billion in funding for improvements in the region over the four years, including PennDOT District 10 (Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties).
The TIP includes improvements proposed along the Route 30 corridor, spanning Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, and continuation of widening and interchange improvements on Interstate 70 in Westmoreland and Washington counties.
Other projects planned in Westmoreland County include: Work on two sections of the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project, which will upgrade and realign the main route between Mt. Pleasant and Arnold Palmer Regional Airport; improvement of the Georges Station Road intersection with Route 30; safety improvements on Route 356; rehabilitation of the West Newton Bridge.
Planned projects in Allegheny County include: An upgrade of the Banksville Interchange on Interstate 376; reconstruction of Pittsburgh’s Smithfield Street; improvements on Liberty Avenue, Lebanon Church Road and the Highland Park Bridge; rehabilitation of the McKeesport Duquesne Bridge and Pittsburgh’s Sixth Street Bridge.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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