Project to change traffic pattern near the airport

If travelers headed from Downtown to Pittsburgh International Airport aren’t careful, they could end up in Hopewell.

That’s because the traffic pattern on the Parkway West/Interstate 376 will change today as a result of a highway reconstruction project. The change will create one lane as an express lane with no exits and another for local traffic with exits, including to the airport.

“That’s the key point: Motorists need to be in the right-hand lane to get to the airport if they are traveling outbound,” said Steve Cowan, spokesman for PennDOT’s District 11. “If you are in the express lane, you will not be able to exit until Hopewell. There will be lots of signs and message boards in place to help people find their way.”

Swank Construction began the two-year, $66.3 million project in the spring.

“What they have been doing is working toward is getting ready for this crossover,” Mr. Cowan said.

Work on the crossover will begin at 8 this morning and should be finished by 8 tonight. When crews are done, there will be a split in the two lanes of outbound traffic headed to the airport.

Motorists in the right-hand lane will drive on the shoulder and be able to take exits for the airport, Mc Cl ar en Road, Clinton and Fl aug herty Run. The left lane will crossover to the east side of the highway and become an express lane. That means traffic in that lane can’t use the airport or other exits and can’t get off until the Hopewell exit.

“I drove it [Friday] morning, and it’s about a 20-minute return trip if you miss the airport,” Mr. Cowan said.

The crossover will create a work zone between the two outbound lanes for reconstruction until Nov. 15. Eastbound traffic will have two lanes and a divider will be installed to separate the westbound lane traveling on that side of the road.

Outbound traffic will cross back to the normal lane configuration near the Beaver County line.

In addition to the limitations on exits, Mr. Cowan said, any vehicle between 11 feet and 12 feet 6 inches wide must use the express lane and wider vehicles will be prohibited on the highway. The reconstruction work will shift to the eastbound or inbound lanes next year.