(File Photo of the PennDOT logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from PennDOT District 11, PennDOT District 11, in conjunction with the Federal Highway Association recently announced “Alternative F” as the preferred design to enter preliminary engineering for the I-376 (Parkway East) Squirrel Hill interchange project. This project is located between the Greenfield Bridge and Squirrel Hill Tunnel in the City of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County and the goal of this project is to make safety improved for 100,000 vehicles that travel each day there and to reduce crashes at that interchange that is existing there. The enhancement of access for pedestrians on the local streets and the enhancement of multimodal connectivity there will also be planned for this project. According to that same release from PennDOT District 11, here is some more information about the I-376 (Parkway East) Squirrel Hill interchange project:

Key changes of the I-376 Squirrel Hill interchange included in “Alternative F” are:

• The relocation of the I-376 eastbound (outbound) on-ramp, providing more room to merge prior to the tunnel and the expectation of congestion mitigation on Beechwood Boulevard.
• A longer I-376 eastbound (outbound) off-ramp, starting just west of Greenfield Bridge and passing under the newly relocated eastbound on-ramp. The ramp will conclude at a traffic light on Beechwood Boulevard, eliminating the existing weave condition between the current interchange ramps.
• The I-376 westbound (inbound) on-ramp will be accessed from Forward Avenue only, where the existing on-ramp is located, at a new signalized intersection.
• The I-376 westbound (inbound) off-ramp diverge point will be further west of the tunnel portal with a new bridge constructed over the Parkway, providing trucks and larger vehicles a safer exit ramp.
• These and other preliminary changes can be viewed in the rendering of “Alternative F” on the project webpage.
• Additional improvements will be made on the local roads surrounding the interchange, including a separate local lane for residences on Beechwood Boulevard near Forward Avenue, the implementation of a roundabout at the Monitor Street and Beechwood Boulevard intersection, and various signal upgrades.
• Bicyclists and pedestrians can expect a new shared use path along Forward Avenue, replacing the existing sidewalk. FHWA has also conditionally approved a new shared use path connecting Forward Avenue to Saline Street adjacent to the westbound (inbound) I-376 on-ramp.
• In coordination with PRT, the project will include the relocation of several bus stops to safer locations in the area.
• The improvements included in the project aim to provide safer pedestrian crossings and safer access to proposed shared use paths. They also result in more reliable travel times through the roadway network. Partnered with the new geometry of the ramp configuration, traffic will slow down coming off the interstate, entering the neighborhood and create safer residential streets in the area.
• As minor changes to the final design will continue throughout the preliminary engineering process, the public is encouraged to provide feedback through the project’s online comment form. Additional public meetings will be held throughout the design phase to discuss the progress of the project and gather additional feedback. Construction on this project is anticipated to begin in 2029 and conclude in 2032.