WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Crews broke ground in the next phase on the construction of the Southern Beltway that will create a link between the Pittsburgh International Airport and the Mon-Fayette Expressway.
Construction is now underway on the four-lane toll road that will end near Interstate 79 near Southpointe.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike used eminent domain to complete the project since it will run through properties across Robinson, Canonsburg, Houston, Midway, McDonald and Mount Pleasant in Washington County. It will also cross Oakdale, South Fayette and North Fayette in Allegheny County.
A portion of Quicksilver Road was shut down in Robinson Township to begin construction.
The Turnpike Commission told Channel 11 that workers have to remove part of the bridge that goes over Interstate 79 to the Cemetery of the Alleghenies. The toll road will actually pass under the interstate, requiring major excavating under the highway. Turnpike officials said they promised the cemetery the road wouldn’t obstruct its views.
Turnpike officials believe this road will be running by the fall of 2019, but will still be working on the Interstate 79 portion of it through 2020.