WV eyes 2011 for completion of Mon-Fayette Expressway

Forward momentum is starting to gain on the West Virginia segment of the Mon-Fayette Expressway. Last month, a wetlands mitigation project was let and soon(within a month) a local road project relating to the expressway will be let. The Morgan's Run Bridge, costing between $16 and $18 million, should be let for bidding in the next six to eight months.

Currently, two miles of highway - that includes one bridge - has been finished by WVDOT. The state currently sees 2011 as a target completion date with the interchange with I-68 being the largest and most expensive part of the project. Bids have yet to be awarded for that part of the highway. The WV portion of the highway will be toll free.

Article: Uniontown Herald-Standard

Commentary:

Some forward momentum on this project is good news overall. Although 2011 seems like forever from now, it was just six years ago when PA/WV 43 consisted of two segments totaling just over 10 miles. (Thanks to a recently opened segment south of Uniontown - which the under construction WV portion will connect to.) Since then, the highway opened from I-70 to PA 51 in 2003, and construction began on the first phase of the Uniontown to Brownsville section. Depending on PA Turnpike funding, PA/WV 43 in 2011 should be open from PA 51 in Large to I-68 east of Morgantown. Nearly 60 miles of freeway...will it ever reach Pittsburgh...we'll see.

Links: Mon-Fayette Expressway @ PAHighways.com ---Jeff Kitsko

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