PennDOT Announces 2013 Spring Road Projects
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- In a sign that warmer days are just around the corner, PennDOT announced some of its major spring road projects on Friday.
Thousands of drivers who travel on West Carson Street every day should get ready for change.
This spring, the northbound lanes will be closed for a $50 million renovation of the viaduct between the highway and the railroad tracks, along with resurfacing of the road from the West End Bridge to McKees Rocks.
"It's going to be a big improvement for safety," said Dan Cessna, of PennDOT. "It will also be big improvements for pedestrians because the sidewalks will be restored."
During the yearlong construction, only the southbound lanes will be open.
It's already causing major headaches for Tri State Office Furniture owner Ed Meyer who is worried about customers and keeping his employees working.
"Nobody really cares. It's just get out of the way and let us do what we have to do and whoever suffers, suffers," said Meyer. "I'm strong we're not going to suffer. We will work through it."
West Carson Street is one of many projects on PennDOT's 2013 construction list.
PennDOT plans to spend more than $300 million on 90 projects, including 122 miles of road resurfacing, along with replacing or improving 35 bridges
PennDOT also announced the outbound lanes of the Squirrel Hill Tunnels will be closed on weekends starting March 22. Like the inbound side, the ceiling will be removed as part of the rehabilitation.
Another major project is construction of a new Hulton Bridge in Oakmont with completion scheduled in three years in time for the U.S. Open.
The good news, none of the ramps or bridges in the Downtown vicinity are affected by PennDOT's 2013 construction schedule.
Also, official start dates and detours will be announced later for many of the major projects. And, as always, PennDOT is confident area drivers will adjust and adapt.
RELATED LINKS:
Latest Traffic Alerts
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
