Project News Story

Gov. Rendell Helps Break Ground For Phase 1 Of The Uniontown To-Brownsville Project

April 1, 2006

Governor Edward G. Rendell joined Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission CEO Joe Brimmeier, Turnpike Commissioner J. William Lincoln, Senator Richard A. Kasunic (PA District 32), Senator J. Barry Stout (PA District 46) and a bevy of other state and local officials on Saturday, April 1, 2006, in North Union Township, Fayette County for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction for the long-awaited Mon/Fayette Expressway Uniontown-to-Brownsville Project.

"Let's go shovel some dirt," Gov. Rendell said in closing a brief keynote address after terming as "money well spent" the Turnpike's billion-dollar investment, so far, in developing the Mon/Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway projects. The governor noted that new highways are a key component to the public infrastructure that will help make southwestern Pennsylvania more attractive to investors, job creators and prospective residents.

"This is no April Fool; this is the real deal," proclaimed state Senator Richard A. Kasunic, a long-time supporter of Turnpike expansion projects in the Pennsylvania General Assembly whose 32nd District includes all of the Mon/Fayette Expressway system within Fayette County.

State Senator J. Barry Stout of the adjacent 46th District in neighboring Washington County, Minority Chair of the Pa. Senate Transportation Committee, was introduced by Brimmeier as the Commonwealth's "godfather of transportation" and received a standing ovation from the crowd of about 200 gathered at the event site off Old Pittsburgh Road.

The event was held beneath a tent on Relocated Colvin Run Rd. in the middle of Phase 1 construction activities.

View a photo of the Phase 1 Groundbreaking Ceremony here.