1-70 at SR 51 Interchange

Design Underway

The project involves reconstruction and widening of 2.1 mile section of Interstate 70 in Rostraver and South Huntingdon Townships beginning approximately one mile west of SR 51 and ending at the eastern end of the Smithton High level Bridge spanning the Youghiogheny River. The project will also include reconstruction of approximately one (1) mile of SR 51 including the upgrade of the Interstate 70 interchange with SR 51 (Exit 46) with a Diverging Diamond Interchange that includes highway lighting. This type of interchange has proven successful at the Interstate 70/Route 19 (Murtland Avenue) interchange in Washington County. Project limits on SR 51 will begin approximately 300 feet south of Ridge Road intersection and end just north of the Concord Lane intersection adjacent to Burger King. The Finley Road connection to SR 51 will be relocated south to form a plus intersection with SR 981. The project includes replacement of the railroad structure that spans SR 51 south of the interchange (to address both vertical and horizontal width issues), replacement of SR 51structure spanning Interstate 70, rehabilitation work on the Smithton High Level Bridge and work on other minor structures within the project limits. 

Please click on the download link below to view an overall drawing of the project as was presented at the December 13, 2017 public plans display. Environmental studies including those related to noise are complete. Based on noise studies, which were approved by Federal Highway Administration, sound barrier walls are not required with this project. The project is in final design with structure borings, utility investigations, and archaeology field studies completed in 2020. Field work scheduled for the remainder of 2020 includes underground waste studies, additional utility investigations, field survey and additional structure borings for overhead signs. Required right of way needs are nearly finalized with appraisals on impacted parcels anticipated to start in November of 2020. Property owners from which right of way is required, will receive initial notification letters. The project team is currently developing a project overview video and proposes to conduct a virtual public plans display in 2021.

Open House Held

PennDOT held an Open House Public Meeting and Public Officials Briefing on December 13, 2017 at Rostraver Central Volunteer Fire Department Hall. At both meetings, each person was provided with project handout and blank comment form. Also presented at the meetings, was a project overview drawing showing the proposed project which can be viewed by clicking View Detailed Mapping. As we plan our upcoming public plans display, which likely will be virtual, we will post updated drawings. PennDOT is excited about how this project schedule to begin in 2022 will improve safety and operation for both Interstate 70 and PA 51.

I-70 SR 51 Public Meeting Handout