The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced today it has received the necessary approvals from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to proceed with the construction of a new interchange at Exit 3 in Cranberry Township. Working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, a new connector road will also be built to provide a direct link between the Turnpike and Interstate 79.

"The Pennsylvania Turnpike views construction of this new interchange and related roadway improvements as critical to serving the rapidly growing transportation needs of the Cranberry Township area," said Turnpike Executive Director John T. Durbin. "We recognize this is the most rapidly developing area in Southwestern Pennsylvania. We are doing our part to continue delivering the high levels of service customers have come to expect from the Pennsylvania Turnpike."

As a result of the FHWA's finding that there will be no significant environmental impacts caused by the project, the Turnpike has begun right-of-way acquisition for phase one. Phase one includes construction of a two-lane connector roadway from the Turnpike to an interchange with State Route 19. The existing toll plaza will be shifted south and expanded from seven to 15 lanes. The existing interchange ramps between the Turnpike and S.R. 19 will also be shifted southward and improved.

Right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation will take from six to nine months to complete. In the meantime, the Turnpike will conclude final design work on phase one. The project will be bid during the third quarter of 1996 with construction expected to begin by the end of next year. Turnpike engineers expect phase one of the project, will take between two and three years to build, and will cost approximately $21 million.

Phase two of the project will involve construction of a connector road which will run between the Turnpike interchange at Cranberry and Interstate 79. Construction of the connector will cost approximately $35 million. Final design work on phase two is just getting underway and will take approximately two years to complete.

         P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676         Phone: (717) 939-9551         Fax: (717) 986-9649