Phase: Final Design
Location: Westmoreland County
Anticipated cost: $200-250 million

Project Schedule

Preliminary Design:
2020-2024
Environmental Clearance:
August 2024
Right-of-way Acquisition:
2024-2027
Final Design:
2024-2027
Construction:
2028-2030

2025 Construction Updates

A daytime single-lane restriction on westbound Interstate 70 resumed Monday, February 24, in Speers and Twilight boroughs and Fallowfield Township, Washington County. The restriction runs from the Belle Vernon Bridge to Exit 35 (Route 481, Monongahela/Centerville) from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily and is anticipated to last through the end of April. It will change direction to eastbound around mid-March.

    Project Overview

    The project will consider mainline improvements along I-70 between the Belle Vernon Bridge and Bentleyville/Exit 32, including the Lover Interchange (Exit 36). This project is part of a districtwide I-70 modernization effort to provide a consistent typical section along I-70 and address system linkage, structure, and pavement needs.

    The project will:

    • Reconstruct all pavement
    • Provide two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction
    • Widen the median to 10 feet
    • Include 12-foot shoulders on each side of the roadway
    • Provide a swale or buffer beside the shoulder
    • Reconstruct Lover Interchange (Exit 36) as a full access diamond interchange
    • Raise the bridge carrying Twin Bridges Road over I-70 at the Lover Interchange by approximately 4.5 feet to provide adequate clearance over I-70. The bridge will have three lanes with one lane in each direction and a center turn lane.

    Project Mapping

    View project mapping to learn more details about this area.

    PennDOT Contact

    Name: Sean Sepe, P.E.
    Organization: PennDOT District 12
    Title: Project Manager
    Phone: 724-439-7322

    Design Contact

    Name: Patrick B. Richter, P.E.
    Organization: SPK Engineering
    Title: Project Manager
    Phone: 724-439-1600

    Project Receives Environmental Clearance, Advances to Final Design

    The project received Environmental Clearance in August 2024 facilitating advancement to final design. Milestone activities associated with final design include:

    Construction Plan Development

    • Construction Phasing
    • Maintenance and Protection of Traffic
    • Right-of-Way Plan Development and Acquisition
    • Noise Analysis and related Community Engagement
    • Permitting and Storm Water Management
    • Finalize slope designs and structures (Core Drilling)
    • Utility Coordination
    • Traffic Control (Specifically for the Belle Vernon Bridge)
    • Highway Lighting
    • Maple Creek Bridge No. 7 Replacement

    Noise Studies

    The project complies with federal noise regulations, which mandate assessing and abating traffic noise. To date, a Preliminary Design Noise Analysis was completed and a Noise Technical Report was developed. Potential locations for noise walls will be finalized during final design. The noise abatement process will determine if the proposed noise abatement measure (i.e., noise barrier) is warranted, feasible, and reasonable for areas impacted by traffic noise, under the design year build alternative. Public involvement is essential throughout the noise abatement process, through noise-related discussions, particularly concerning the loudest hour of the day, the identification of noise-sensitive sites, and other localized sound sources or contributions that would warrant additional consideration (e.g., jake brakes, nighttime distribution of heavy trucks, and motorcycle club routes). Meetings will be held with specific property owners and residents who are benefitted by each potential noise abatement measure (sound wall) location.

    Public Engagement To-Date

    October 2024 – Community Stakeholders Meeting #2

    In October 2024, PennDOT conducted a Stakeholders Meeting with representatives of various community segments to provide a project status update, discuss final design activities, and review the project schedule. View the presentation slides here.

    May 2023 – Public Meeting

    A public meeting was held on May 18, 2023, to provide an opportunity for general public review and feedback on the recommended alternative. Common concerns included noise, property effects, safety, roadway, drainage, and pedestrian access.

    September 2021 – Community Stakeholders Meeting #1

    In September 2021, PennDOT conducted a Stakeholders Meeting with representatives of various community segments to provide a project status update and solicit feedback on the Community Context Assessment (CCA) findings.

    Early 2021 – Community Context Assessment

    The CCA was conducted in early 2021 to discuss the project with state, county, and local public officials, the PA Turnpike Commission, emergency service providers, business owners, schools, and other stakeholders to gather input about local interests and concerns for the project. The information gathered during these interviews is used by the Project Team to inform project development.