Back in April, we reported on a construction project coming to the Route 50/Washington Pike intersection aimed at alleviating traffic problems by introducing new left turn lanes at major back-up points.
We said that work would likely begin in May.
Obviously, that didn’t happen.
It seems that PennDOT hasn’t yet issued the necessary construction permits. But, it looks like there’s still a chance that the project could take place by the end of this year’s paving season, which is late October or early November.
When work is completed, drivers heading out of Bridgeville on Washington Pike will have a new left turn-only lane leading into the Starbucks/Aldi plaza, in addition to a through-lane into South Fayette, and a right-turn only lane onto Route 50.
Drivers coming from South Fayette will get a second left turn lane onto Route 50, in addition to the existing through lane into Bridgeville.
Interstate 79 Exit 54 is also changing. Motorists using that off-ramp will now have two left-turn only lanes onto Route 50, in addition to the two existing right-turn only lanes.
This is all part of a larger, multi-phase effort to address traffic congestion in the area. PennDOT is finalizing plans to widen the Washington Pike bridge linking South Fayette and Bridgeville to seven lanes—possibly next year—and South Fayette is investing in adaptive traffic signals that would adjust to real-time traffic demand.
This work will be funded by Newbury Associates, the real estate group that is building an expansive housing and retail development off of Route 50 in South Fayette.