Project News Story

Turnpike CEO Announces Entire Uniontown To Brownsville Project Will Be Completed

August 22, 2007

Joseph Brimmeier, CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was joined by Turnpike Chairman Mitch Rubin, Commissioner J. William Lincoln, Senator J. Barry Stout, Senator Richard A. Kasunic and a host of other state and local officials on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at a press conference to announce that the entire Uniontown to Brownsville section of the Mon/Fayette Expressway will be completed. Earlier in 2007 it had been announced that funding was not available for Phase 2 construction and that the project was being put on hold. Now the Commission is committing the $450 Million needed for completion of Phase 2.

Phase 1 construction is currently underway and will be ready for traffic by spring 2009. Construction of Phase 2 will begin early in 2008 and be ready for traffic by spring 2012. With the completion of the piece from the West Virginia line to I-68, this will create link of limited access highway from I-68 in West Virginia to Route 51 in Jefferson Hills.

Senator J. Barry Stout, D-Bentleyville, said it is important for our economic future and vital to keep the momentum going on these projects including moving ahead with other sections such as the Route 22 to Interstate 79 portion of the Southern Beltway project.

Senator Richard Kasunic, D-Dunbar, said construction of the link is the biggest economic development project since coal was king and that the highway will breathe new life into Fayette County.