UPDATE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that this grant money was earmarked to rebuild the bridge on Chartiers Street. That information came from a state government press release, but the borough confirmed Sunday that the money will go toward reconstructing and widening the bridge on Washington Avenue that connects Bridgeville and South Fayette.
Last week, the state awarded Bridgeville $300,000 in grant funds to rebuild and widen the bridge that connects South Fayette and Bridgeville across the Chartiers Creek.
The bridge is a daily rush-hour chokepoint as motorists from Upper St. Clair and other communities use it to access Interstate 79. The state grant money awarded last week comes from gambling revenue.
The bridge rebuilding is part of a larger effort to ease traffic throughout the Route 50-Washington Pike intersection, which regularly creates lengthy delays for commuters and has had a negative impact on local businesses.
“Improving this interchange has been a priority of mine since taking office,” said Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-46). “I am hopeful and optimistic that work could begin very soon. Residents, commuters and business owners need to see relief.”
Last year, several local governments, including Bridgeville Borough, formed a “Route 50 Task Force” to address the ever-growing traffic problem.
Working with PennDOT to study possible solutions, the task force has developed a list of proposed fixes, including:
- Widening the bridge over Chartiers Creek (on Washington Pike between Bridgeville and South Fayette) from 4 lanes to 7 lanes
- Adding a dedicated right-turn lane to Chartiers Street for vehicles crossing the bridge into Bridgeville
- Widening Chartiers Street
- Adding a full left-turn lane on Washington Pike to access The Crossings at South Fayette shopping center
- Adding a second left-turn lane on Washington Pike southbound to access the I-79 ramps
- Adding a dedicated right-turn lane from Bridgeville to the I-79 northbound ramp.
You can download a PDF of the initial concept drawings here.
