Design changes for Duquesne interchange of Mon-Fayette Expressway receive approval

As designers refine plans for the next section of the Mon-Fayette Expressway between Jefferson Hills and Duquesne, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is making some changes in the $1 billion project.

The changes, approved by the turnpike commission last week, all involve the area around the future interchange at Route 837 in Duquesne, the last part that will be built in this section. The turnpike expects to build the 8-mile section from south to north, beginning at Jefferson Hills, over five years beginning next year.

Because there is expected to be some delay between the end of this project and construction of the northern section that will carry the highway to the Parkway East in Monroeville, the major change in design involves delaying construction of a bridge for an interchange ramp until the northern section is built.

Matthew Burd, special projects manager for the turnpike who’s overseeing design for the highway, said the southern section will end at Route 837. As a result, the ramp bridge isn’t needed yet and essentially “would go nowhere” until the next section is constructed.

The turnpike has funds for the

southern section, but reduced driving during the pandemic has depleted the oil franchise tax revenue used for construction. As a result, the turnpike is holding off design of the northern section until those funds are replenished, so there is likely to be a gap of several years before the northern section can begin construction.

When the northern section is built, the Route 837 interchange will join with a new bridge across the Monongahela River.

Another design change will realign the intersection where Hoffman Boulevard merges with Commonwealth Avenue, near West Mifflin High School, into a signaled T intersection. That intersection will be one of the roads approaching the Route 837 interchange.

The work also will include straightening a drainage system along Homeville Road, West Mifflin, between a retention pond and a stream about 1,000 feet away.

Mr. Burd said the changes will prevent deterioration on the bridge that would have occurred if it sat unused for several years, and the other changes could reduce construction and maintenance costs on the project over the years by creatinga more efficient design.

The commission increased the contract of consultant The EADS Group Inc. by $4.4 million to $19.9 million to design the changes.