Project News Story

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Phase 2 of the Uniontown to Brownsville Project.

April 24, 2008:

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission CEO Joseph G. Brimmeier, along with PTC chairman Mitchell Rubin and PTC Commissioner J. William Lincoln welcomed 150 visitors to the Mon-Fayette Expressway Uniontown to Brownsville Phase 2 Groundbreaking Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, 2008. Mr. Brimmeier stated that “it is another great day for the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Mon-Fayette Expressway Project.” The Commission was supported by other speakers, including State Senator’s J. Barry Stout and Richard A. Kasunic; and Representatives Joseph F. Markosek, H. William DeWeese, Peter J. Daley, Deborah Kula, and Tim Mahoney, who all spoke highly of the construction of this important link in the Mon-Fayette Expressway system. The ceremony was held at the site of the former Gudac Bowling Lanes.

Phase 2 construction will extend westward 8 miles, from the interchange at Redstone Way in Redstone Township, over the Monongahela River on a 3013 foot long four-lane bridge, 160 feet above the river, and tie into Route 88 northward to Route 40. Interchanges are provided at Redstone Way, Bull Run Road Connector, and Route 88.

Mr. Brimmeier noted that Phase 1, under construction since 2006, will open this fall, and that Phase 2 is planned for completion in late 2011 or early 2012. The West Virginia section tieing into Interstate Route 68 east of Morgantown, is expected to open around the same time. This will open the Expressway for 60 miles from I-68 near Morgantown West Virginia to Route 51 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The first section of Phase 2 planned for completion is Section 51A1, scheduled for the fall of 2010, and will complete the interchange between the Expressway and Route 119 in Uniontown.

View a photo of the Phase 2 Groundbreaking Ceremony.