Route 51 Bridge Demolition Begins Tomorrow in Westmoreland County

Uniontown, PA-Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 12 is announcing overnight single-lane restrictions on Interstate 70 in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County, for Wednesday, October 16, Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18.

Restrictions will be in place from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM between Exit 49 (Smithton) and Exit 46A/46B (Route 51) - eastbound and westbound.

Crews from Golden Triangle Construction will demolish the previously utilized bridge carrying Route 51 over I-70. Depending on weather and operations, work may continue during the same overnight hours on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22.

The project is part of a $120.7M infrastructure investment to improve the I-70 at Route 51 interchange (Exit 46). Prime contractor Golden Triangle Construction is reconstructing this section of I-70 to look more like reconstructed sections to the east and west. A Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) is being built to replace the existing substandard cloverleaf.

To accommodate the new DDI, one mile of Route 51 is being reconstructed and widened, as well as several intersecting roadways, including the relocation of Finley Road and Route 981. Work includes full-depth roadway reconstruction, updated drainage, lighting, and traffic signals, and completion of the westernmost structure carrying Route 51 over I-70. The project is anticipated to be completed in October 2027.

Remain alert and follow the posted signs and speed limits. Safety is everyone's responsibility.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1 or following regional X alerts.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District12.

Information about infrastructure in District 12, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D12Results. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Laina Aquiline, [email protected] or 724-415-3748

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