PennDOT to unveil updated plans for Route 51 interchange upgrade on Interstate 70

Jeff Himler, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Apr. 13—PennDOT is ready to display updated plans for improving the Route 51 interchange on Interstate 70 in Rostraver.

Virtual project plans will be displayed at i-70projects.com from 5 p.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. April 21.

Those who lack online access can pick up a project handout and comment form during operating hours at two local sites.

Hours at the Rostraver municipal building are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays. The Rostraver Public Library, at 700 Plaza Drive, is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays.

Project information will include design updates, environmental studies and a proposed construction schedule.

Part of ongoing efforts to widen I-70 and improve interchanges along the interstate in Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Route 51 interchange project is tentatively slated to begin construction as early as 2022. According to the project website, PennDOT is working on final design of the improvements and on obtaining needed rights of way.

PennDOT plans to replace the existing cloverleaf interchange with a new "diverging diamond" version. Controlled by signals, traffic headed in either direction on Route 51 would cross to the left side of the road as it passes over the interstate. That would allow motorists to enter or exit I-70 without having to make a left turn across opposing traffic lanes.

A similar I-70 interchange was installed in 2016 at Route 19 in Washington County. The chief difference is that the traffic crossover on Route 19 occurs as it passes underneath the interstate.

The Route 51 project also includes widening berms along a 2-mile section of I-70 and lengthening acceleration and deceleration lanes at the interchange ramps.

Farther east on I-70, in South Huntingdon, PennDOT anticipates completing improvement of the Route 31 exit this year — with a new diamond interchange and longer ramps, according to Jay Ofsanik, acting press officer for Uniontown-based PennDOT District 12.

He said construction continues on improvements at the Madison and Yukon interchanges, with work expected to stretch into fall 2022. That project includes creation of an additional eastbound lane between the neighboring exits and replacement of four bridges on I-70.

"There's still a lot of work to do out there," Ofsanik said of the Madison-Yukon segment. "We're looking at two more full construction seasons to finish that up."

Planned improvement of the Arnold City exit on I-70 in Rostraver is still in the design phase. PennDOT also has proposed the addition of a roundabout in that project.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff at 724-836-6622, jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .