Mon-Fayette Expressway
Encyclopedia
The Mon–Fayette Expressway is an interstate
tolled
freeway
that is planned to eventually link Interstate 68
near Morgantown
, West Virginia
with two branches to Interstate 376
near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. The ultimate goal of the highway is to provide a high speed north-south connection between Morgantown and the eastern side of Pittsburgh while revitalizing the economically distressed towns in Fayette
and Washington
counties, serving as an alternative to Interstate 79
to the west. In addition, the two branches in Allegheny County
would provide a bypass to the Squirrel Hill Tunnel
.
Although it is being built to Interstate Highway standards
, most of the freeway is not expected to become part of the Interstate Highway System
. As a result, the highway uses state highway
monikers instead, as it does not parallel an existing U.S. Route
for its entire length, though it does parallel U.S. Route 40
and U.S. Route 119
for portions of its length. The route, in its three jurisdictions, uses the number 43 for familiarity-based reasons, and is thusly known as West Virginia Route 43, Pennsylvania Route 43, and PA Turnpike 43. Most of the route is maintained by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
, while the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
maintains small portions of the highway near Uniontown
, and the West Virginia Division of Highways maintains the short section in West Virginia. Despite the numerous agencies overseeing the highway, it is effectively one highway. South of Jefferson Hills
, the Mon-Fayette Expressway is complete except for a short segment south of Brownsville
, which is planned to open in 2012. Construction on the final 24 miles (38.6 km) stretch that will connect the highway's current northern terminus at Jefferson Hills to Pittsburgh and Monroeville is pending due to funding limitations.
and Fayette County because initially, the highway was proposed in the 1950s as a way to link the coke- and steel-producing towns situated in the Monongahela River Valley. The coke and steel industry waned in the 1970s and nearly collapsed in the early 1980s. Today, the Monongahela River Valley considers the expressway to be an important tool for economic redevelopment.
The construction history of the Mon–Fayette Expressway is complex. PennDOT initiated construction in 1973, and the first segment opened in 1977. This segment consisted of a partial cloverleaf interchange at U.S. Route 40 and a 2 miles (3.2 km) stretch of four-lane highway that spurred south of the new interchange toward Fredericktown. Despite severe financial constraints, PennDOT built the remainder of the ramps at the U.S. 40 cloverleaf along with a separate 2 miles (3.2 km) stretch of highway near California
in the early 1980s. Once construction stalled, the project was transferred to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
(PTC) under Act 61 legislation in 1985. While PennDOT assessed preliminary engineering and right-of-way options in the 1970s and early 1980s, the PTC accelerated design work and began unveiling detailed plans in earnest by the late 1980s. Funding appropriated through the PTC allowed construction to resume in 1988, and on October 12, 1990, the entire stretch from U.S. Route 40
to Interstate 70
opened to traffic. Initially, the PTC did not have adequate funding to construct new sections, but Representative Austin Murphy secured congressional funds that directed PennDOT to build a 4 miles (6.4 km) stretch of the expressway south of Uniontown
. Aside from being part of a larger project, the new segment was designed to provide high speed access between the Uniontown bypass
, Fairchance
, and a new business park. This section, dubbed the Chadville Demonstration Project, opened in November 1992.
In the early 1990s, the Pennsylvania State Legislature passed a bill that hypothecated a portion of the state’s fuel excise revenue to the PTC. This new revenue stream initially provided the funding to complete an 8 miles (12.9 km) section from the southern terminus of the Chadville Demonstration Project to the West Virginia state line as well as a 17 miles (27.4 km) section from the Interstate 70 interchange to Pennsylvania Route 51
in Jefferson Hills
. On March 1, 2000, most of the section between the Chadville Demonstration Project and the West Virginia state line opened to traffic. The entire segment from Interstate 70 to Route 51 was open by April 12, 2002, which included the Joe Montana Bridge, named after the Pro Football Hall of Fame
quarterback
who grew up in the immediate area in nearby Monongahela, Pennsylvania
.
In 2006, construction began on a 17 miles (27.4 km) stretch that will connect the oldest section of the expressway near Fredericktown to the northern terminus of the Chadville Demonstration Project. This is known locally as the "Uniontown-to-Brownsville Project". Due to limited funding, construction on this section was split into two phases. The first phase involved construction of an 8 miles (12.9 km) section of expressway running parallel to a hazardous stretch of U.S. Route 40 between Brownsville
and Uniontown. Phase 1 opened on October 23, 2008. The second phase consists of a 9-mile (14 km) section that will connect the first phase of this project to the oldest portion of the expressway near Fredericktown. Additionally, the second phase includes a directional T interchange at U.S. Route 119 in Uniontown. Construction on phase 2 is nearing completion, and the new interchange at U.S. Route 119 opened on December 13, 2010[8] while the remainder of phase 2 is planned to be open by mid-2012. The connection to the northern end of the Chadville Demonstration Project has been accomplished via U.S. 119, and U.S. 119 between the new interchange and the Chadville Demonstration Project received a dual PA 43 route designation (even though it is poorly signed).
In West Virginia, construction commenced in 2000 but progressed slowly due to limited funding. By the end of 2003, only the Rubles Run Bridge and two pieces of highway totaling little more than 2.5 miles (4 km) were completed. Over the next few years, construction inched ahead. By 2009, the Morgan Run Bridge was finished, and local roads near Cheat Lake
were re-built to accommodate the expressway. The final contracts to build the Cheat Lake and Interstate 68 interchanges were respectively awarded in December 2008 and July 2009, partly as a result of an ARRA fund infusion. On July 11, 2011, officials in West Virginia opened their 4 miles (6.4 km) section of the Mon-Fayette Expressway. Likewise, the PTC opened the southernmost 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in Pennsylvania, which sat unused for over a decade. Noteworthy features on the West Virginia section include two high-level bridges, along with the I-68 interchange, which is a hybrid design that utilizes both high-speed ramps and at-grade intersections. A second phase for this interchange is planned, but that project will not be undertaken until traffic volumes merit. If the second phase is built, the I-68 interchange will be upgraded to a directional T.
The connection between Jefferson Hills and I-376 is in limbo. All environmental clearances have been obtained, and right-of-way acquisition has begun. However, construction is expected to cost at least $3.6 billion, and funding has not been identified. A public-private partnership was explored but nothing feasible resulted. It is unlikely that any new construction will commence in the near future unless a new tax is imposed or private funding identified.
, which uses long-distance tickets, the Mon–Fayette Expressway collects fixed tolls at regular intervals. In addition, auxiliary toll plazas exist on certain on- and off-ramps. In 2008, the PTC retrofitted all toll plazas to accept E-ZPass
, and Express E-ZPass lanes are available at the newer toll plazas.
In West Virginia, legislators have flip-flopped a few times regarding whether their section will be a toll road. When tolls were first proposed, West Virginia had planned to work with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
to collect tolls at the existing Pennsylvania mainline plaza, but this plan was not accepted by the West Virginia Legislature
. Instead, West Virginia planned to construct a toll plaza north of Goodwin Hill Road. West Virginia officials also contemplated whether to use all-electronic tolling or a more traditional tolling scheme. In the end, tolling plans were scrapped by West Virginia's legislature. Rejection resulted from concerns related to camera enforcement, billing, and operational costs. However, West Virginia reserves the right to levy tolls in the future if these issues are settled.
. The Southern Beltway is planned to be a high-speed east-west link between the Mon–Fayette Expressway, Interstate 79, U.S. Route 22
, Interstate 376
, and Pittsburgh International Airport
. A 6 miles (9.7 km) section of the beltway between Pittsburgh International Airport/Interstate 376 and U.S. Route 22 opened to traffic in 2006. The new road has been designated as Pennsylvania Route 576
.
The PTC built several non-tolled roads in conjunction with the Uniontown-to-Brownsville project. One such road outside of Brownsville extended a four-lane section of U.S. Route 40, eliminating a forty-year-old freeway stub in the process. Another road connecting U.S. Route 40 and Pennsylvania Route 51 was built near Uniontown. These roads were necessary to provide access to Exits 22 and 15 respectively, but the access routes were also designed to improve local connections and foster economic development.
Commerce Clause
The Commerce Clause is an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution . The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes." Courts and commentators have tended to...
tolled
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
freeway
Controlled-access highway
A controlled-access highway is a highway designed exclusively for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow and ingress/egress regulated...
that is planned to eventually link Interstate 68
Interstate 68
Interstate 68 is a Interstate highway in the U.S. states of West Virginia and Maryland, connecting in Morgantown to in Hancock. is also Corridor E of the Appalachian Development Highway System. From 1965 until the freeway's construction was completed in 1991, it was designated as...
near Morgantown
Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
with two branches to Interstate 376
Interstate 376
Interstate 376 is a major auxiliary route of the Interstate Highway System in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, located entirely within the Allegheny Plateau. It runs from I-80 near Sharon south and east to a junction with the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Monroeville, after having crossed the Turnpike...
near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The ultimate goal of the highway is to provide a high speed north-south connection between Morgantown and the eastern side of Pittsburgh while revitalizing the economically distressed towns in Fayette
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and Washington
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
counties, serving as an alternative to Interstate 79
Interstate 79
Interstate 79 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States, designated from Interstate 77 in Charleston, West Virginia to Pennsylvania Route 5 and Pennsylvania Route 290 in Erie, Pennsylvania...
to the west. In addition, the two branches in Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
would provide a bypass to the Squirrel Hill Tunnel
Squirrel Hill Tunnel
The Squirrel Hill Tunnel is a tunnel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It serves as an eastern gateway to the city for I-376 and was completed in 1953 after 8 years of construction and at a cost of US$18 million 1953 dollars. At the time of opening it was the single largest investment...
.
Although it is being built to Interstate Highway standards
Interstate Highway standards
Standards for Interstate Highways in the United States are defined by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in the publication A Policy on Design Standards - Interstate System...
, most of the freeway is not expected to become part of the Interstate Highway System
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
. As a result, the highway uses state highway
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
monikers instead, as it does not parallel an existing U.S. Route
United States Numbered Highways
The system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
for its entire length, though it does parallel U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 is an east–west United States highway. As with most routes whose numbers end in a zero, U.S. 40 once traversed the entire United States. It is one of the original 1920s U.S. Highways, and its first termini were San Francisco, California, and Atlantic City, New Jersey...
and U.S. Route 119
U.S. Route 119
U.S. Route 119, commonly abbreviated as US 119, is a spur of US 19. It is a north–south route that was an original United States highway of 1926. It is often referred to as Corridor G east of US 23 and KY 80 in Kentucky to Interstate 64 at Charleston, West Virginia.- Kentucky :US 119 is a two...
for portions of its length. The route, in its three jurisdictions, uses the number 43 for familiarity-based reasons, and is thusly known as West Virginia Route 43, Pennsylvania Route 43, and PA Turnpike 43. Most of the route is maintained by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was created in 1937 to construct, finance, operate and maintain the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The commission consists of five members. Four members are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania. The fifth member is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation.In...
, while the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation oversees transportation issues in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The administrator of PennDOT is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation, currently Barry Schoch Presently, PennDOT supports over of state roads and highways, about 25,000...
maintains small portions of the highway near Uniontown
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Uniontown is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh and part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. Population in 1900, 7,344; in 1910, 13,344; in 1920, 15,692; and in 1940, 21,819. The population was 10,372 at the 2010 census...
, and the West Virginia Division of Highways maintains the short section in West Virginia. Despite the numerous agencies overseeing the highway, it is effectively one highway. South of Jefferson Hills
Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania
Jefferson Hills is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes the community of "Large, Pennsylvania". As of the 2010 census the population was 10,619...
, the Mon-Fayette Expressway is complete except for a short segment south of Brownsville
Brownsville, Pennsylvania
Brownsville is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States, officially founded in 1785 located 35 miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River...
, which is planned to open in 2012. Construction on the final 24 miles (38.6 km) stretch that will connect the highway's current northern terminus at Jefferson Hills to Pittsburgh and Monroeville is pending due to funding limitations.
History
The Mon–Fayette Expressway designation is derived from the Monongahela RiverMonongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
and Fayette County because initially, the highway was proposed in the 1950s as a way to link the coke- and steel-producing towns situated in the Monongahela River Valley. The coke and steel industry waned in the 1970s and nearly collapsed in the early 1980s. Today, the Monongahela River Valley considers the expressway to be an important tool for economic redevelopment.
The construction history of the Mon–Fayette Expressway is complex. PennDOT initiated construction in 1973, and the first segment opened in 1977. This segment consisted of a partial cloverleaf interchange at U.S. Route 40 and a 2 miles (3.2 km) stretch of four-lane highway that spurred south of the new interchange toward Fredericktown. Despite severe financial constraints, PennDOT built the remainder of the ramps at the U.S. 40 cloverleaf along with a separate 2 miles (3.2 km) stretch of highway near California
California, Pennsylvania
California is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the Monongahela River. The population was 5,274 as of the 2000 census. California is the home of California University of Pennsylvania. Founded in 1849, the borough was named for the territory of California following...
in the early 1980s. Once construction stalled, the project was transferred to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was created in 1937 to construct, finance, operate and maintain the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The commission consists of five members. Four members are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania. The fifth member is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation.In...
(PTC) under Act 61 legislation in 1985. While PennDOT assessed preliminary engineering and right-of-way options in the 1970s and early 1980s, the PTC accelerated design work and began unveiling detailed plans in earnest by the late 1980s. Funding appropriated through the PTC allowed construction to resume in 1988, and on October 12, 1990, the entire stretch from U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 40 enters Pennsylvania at West Alexander. It closely parallels I-70 from West Virginia until it reaches Washington where it follows Jefferson Avenue and Maiden Street. In Washington, US 40 passes to the south of Washington & Jefferson College. Following Maiden Street out of town, the...
to Interstate 70
Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania
In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, Interstate 70 runs east–west across the southwest part of the state serving the southern half of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. About half of the route is concurrent with Interstate 76 along the Pennsylvania Turnpike...
opened to traffic. Initially, the PTC did not have adequate funding to construct new sections, but Representative Austin Murphy secured congressional funds that directed PennDOT to build a 4 miles (6.4 km) stretch of the expressway south of Uniontown
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Uniontown is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh and part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. Population in 1900, 7,344; in 1910, 13,344; in 1920, 15,692; and in 1940, 21,819. The population was 10,372 at the 2010 census...
. Aside from being part of a larger project, the new segment was designed to provide high speed access between the Uniontown bypass
U.S. Route 119 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 119 travels through Connellsville, Greensburg, and Punxsutawney, and bypasses Uniontown and Indiana. There are numerous other boroughs and villages along its route in the Keystone State. The southern entrance of US 119 is at the West Virginia state line one-half mile south of Point...
, Fairchance
Fairchance, Pennsylvania
Fairchance is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,174 at the 2000 census. It is served by the Albert Gallatin Area School District.-Geography:Fairchance is located at ....
, and a new business park. This section, dubbed the Chadville Demonstration Project, opened in November 1992.
In the early 1990s, the Pennsylvania State Legislature passed a bill that hypothecated a portion of the state’s fuel excise revenue to the PTC. This new revenue stream initially provided the funding to complete an 8 miles (12.9 km) section from the southern terminus of the Chadville Demonstration Project to the West Virginia state line as well as a 17 miles (27.4 km) section from the Interstate 70 interchange to Pennsylvania Route 51
Pennsylvania Route 51
Pennsylvania Route 51 is a major state highway in Western Pennsylvania. It runs for from Uniontown to the Ohio state line near Darlington, where it connects with Ohio State Route 14. Route 51 is the termination point for Pennsylvania Route 43, Pennsylvania Route 48 and Pennsylvania Route 88. ...
in Jefferson Hills
Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania
Jefferson Hills is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes the community of "Large, Pennsylvania". As of the 2010 census the population was 10,619...
. On March 1, 2000, most of the section between the Chadville Demonstration Project and the West Virginia state line opened to traffic. The entire segment from Interstate 70 to Route 51 was open by April 12, 2002, which included the Joe Montana Bridge, named after the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
quarterback
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...
who grew up in the immediate area in nearby Monongahela, Pennsylvania
Monongahela, Pennsylvania
Monongahela, colloquially called "Mon City," is a Third Class City in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area, located approximately south of the city proper. The population was 4,761 at the 2000 census...
.
In 2006, construction began on a 17 miles (27.4 km) stretch that will connect the oldest section of the expressway near Fredericktown to the northern terminus of the Chadville Demonstration Project. This is known locally as the "Uniontown-to-Brownsville Project". Due to limited funding, construction on this section was split into two phases. The first phase involved construction of an 8 miles (12.9 km) section of expressway running parallel to a hazardous stretch of U.S. Route 40 between Brownsville
Brownsville, Pennsylvania
Brownsville is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States, officially founded in 1785 located 35 miles south of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River...
and Uniontown. Phase 1 opened on October 23, 2008. The second phase consists of a 9-mile (14 km) section that will connect the first phase of this project to the oldest portion of the expressway near Fredericktown. Additionally, the second phase includes a directional T interchange at U.S. Route 119 in Uniontown. Construction on phase 2 is nearing completion, and the new interchange at U.S. Route 119 opened on December 13, 2010[8] while the remainder of phase 2 is planned to be open by mid-2012. The connection to the northern end of the Chadville Demonstration Project has been accomplished via U.S. 119, and U.S. 119 between the new interchange and the Chadville Demonstration Project received a dual PA 43 route designation (even though it is poorly signed).
In West Virginia, construction commenced in 2000 but progressed slowly due to limited funding. By the end of 2003, only the Rubles Run Bridge and two pieces of highway totaling little more than 2.5 miles (4 km) were completed. Over the next few years, construction inched ahead. By 2009, the Morgan Run Bridge was finished, and local roads near Cheat Lake
Cheat Lake, West Virginia
Cheat Lake is a census-designated place in Monongalia County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 7,988 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Morgantown, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
were re-built to accommodate the expressway. The final contracts to build the Cheat Lake and Interstate 68 interchanges were respectively awarded in December 2008 and July 2009, partly as a result of an ARRA fund infusion. On July 11, 2011, officials in West Virginia opened their 4 miles (6.4 km) section of the Mon-Fayette Expressway. Likewise, the PTC opened the southernmost 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in Pennsylvania, which sat unused for over a decade. Noteworthy features on the West Virginia section include two high-level bridges, along with the I-68 interchange, which is a hybrid design that utilizes both high-speed ramps and at-grade intersections. A second phase for this interchange is planned, but that project will not be undertaken until traffic volumes merit. If the second phase is built, the I-68 interchange will be upgraded to a directional T.
The connection between Jefferson Hills and I-376 is in limbo. All environmental clearances have been obtained, and right-of-way acquisition has begun. However, construction is expected to cost at least $3.6 billion, and funding has not been identified. A public-private partnership was explored but nothing feasible resulted. It is unlikely that any new construction will commence in the near future unless a new tax is imposed or private funding identified.
Toll configuration
The Mon–Fayette Expressway is a toll road for much of its length. Unlike the Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline and the Northeast ExtensionInterstate 476
Interstate 476 is a auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania designated between Interstate 95 near Chester and Interstate 81 near Scranton, serving as the primary north–south Interstate corridor through eastern Pennsylvania....
, which uses long-distance tickets, the Mon–Fayette Expressway collects fixed tolls at regular intervals. In addition, auxiliary toll plazas exist on certain on- and off-ramps. In 2008, the PTC retrofitted all toll plazas to accept E-ZPass
E-ZPass
E-ZPass is an electronic toll-collection system used on most tolled roads, bridges, and tunnels in the northeastern US, south to Virginia and West Virginia, and west to Illinois. Currently, there are 25 agencies spread across 14 states that make up the . All member agencies use the same technology,...
, and Express E-ZPass lanes are available at the newer toll plazas.
In West Virginia, legislators have flip-flopped a few times regarding whether their section will be a toll road. When tolls were first proposed, West Virginia had planned to work with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was created in 1937 to construct, finance, operate and maintain the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The commission consists of five members. Four members are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania. The fifth member is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation.In...
to collect tolls at the existing Pennsylvania mainline plaza, but this plan was not accepted by the West Virginia Legislature
West Virginia Legislature
The West Virginia Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of West Virginia. A bicameral legislative body, the Legislature is split between the upper Senate and the lower House of Delegates. It was established under Article VI of the West Virginia Constitution following the state's...
. Instead, West Virginia planned to construct a toll plaza north of Goodwin Hill Road. West Virginia officials also contemplated whether to use all-electronic tolling or a more traditional tolling scheme. In the end, tolling plans were scrapped by West Virginia's legislature. Rejection resulted from concerns related to camera enforcement, billing, and operational costs. However, West Virginia reserves the right to levy tolls in the future if these issues are settled.
Exit list
Criticism
The roadway has generated controversy in Allegheny County. Critics often point to the low traffic volumes on the existing segments to help justify their dissent. Critics claim that such low volumes prove that the expressway is unfeasible. Supporters also consider the low traffic volume, but they claim that traffic volumes are low because of the segmented nature of the overall highway.Related roads
In the 1990s, the Mon–Fayette Expressway project was expanded to include another highway, which is commonly referred to as the Southern BeltwayPennsylvania Route 576
Pennsylvania Route 576, the Southern Beltway, is a partially completed highway in the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States...
. The Southern Beltway is planned to be a high-speed east-west link between the Mon–Fayette Expressway, Interstate 79, U.S. Route 22
U.S. Route 22 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 22 is an east–west route stretching from Cincinnati, Ohio in the west to Newark, New Jersey in the east. In Pennsylvania, the route runs for between the West Virginia state line at Washington County, where it is a limited-access expressway-grade route through the western suburbs...
, Interstate 376
Interstate 376
Interstate 376 is a major auxiliary route of the Interstate Highway System in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, located entirely within the Allegheny Plateau. It runs from I-80 near Sharon south and east to a junction with the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Monroeville, after having crossed the Turnpike...
, and Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport , formerly Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and commonly referred to as Pittsburgh International, is a joint civil–military international airport located in the Pittsburgh suburb of Findlay Township, approximately west of...
. A 6 miles (9.7 km) section of the beltway between Pittsburgh International Airport/Interstate 376 and U.S. Route 22 opened to traffic in 2006. The new road has been designated as Pennsylvania Route 576
Pennsylvania Route 576
Pennsylvania Route 576, the Southern Beltway, is a partially completed highway in the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States...
.
The PTC built several non-tolled roads in conjunction with the Uniontown-to-Brownsville project. One such road outside of Brownsville extended a four-lane section of U.S. Route 40, eliminating a forty-year-old freeway stub in the process. Another road connecting U.S. Route 40 and Pennsylvania Route 51 was built near Uniontown. These roads were necessary to provide access to Exits 22 and 15 respectively, but the access routes were also designed to improve local connections and foster economic development.
External links
- Pennsylvania Highways – PA Turnpike 43
- What is a megaproject?
- Interstate 79 to Mon/Fayette Expressway Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (May 10, 2006)
- Mon/Fayette Expressway, Uniontown to Brownsville Project