Work on I-70 east of Washington still plagued by rainy weather
Rainy weather during the last few weeks and a lack of truck drivers has hampered the progression of work to reconstruct Interstate 70 east of Washington.
“We’ve had problems the last few weeks because of the weather. All we have seen is rain, and it won’t let up,” said Scott Faieta, assistant construction engineer for the state Department of Transportation who is overseeing the project. “We are also having trouble getting truck drivers. Many seem to be working in the gas well industry.”
The $117 million project is widening the highway to three lanes in each direction between the East Beau Street interchange and the south junction with Interstate 79. A five-mile stretch of the highway between the south junction and the Eighty Four/Route 519 interchange also will be rebuilt.
Traffic has been switched on the westbound side between the south junction and East Beau to the new concrete surface. Drivers also are seeing a change in the traffic pattern as the westbound lanes split for several miles between the junction and the East Beau exit.
“We are trying to give drivers more room,” Faieta said. “Traffic coming on I-79 north from Waynesburg had been backing up because the acceleration has been shortened.
“We are encouraging bus and truck drivers to stay in the left lane,” he added. “We also will likely put up signs encouraging other drivers to do the same to help keep traffic moving.”
State police will continue to crack down on drivers exceeding the 45-mph speed limit in the construction zone. During a recent Operation Yellow Jacket, where troopers sit in PennDOT trucks using radar to clock vehicle speeds, about 230 drivers were given tickets. Lt. Steven Driscoll, patrol section commander for Troop B, said the enforcement was done from East Beau along I-70 into Westmoreland County.
Drivers caught going 11 mph or more over the speed limit in a posted, manned construction zone not only face a fine but a 15-day suspension of their license, the lieutenant added.
“We are always out there conducting proactive enforcement,” Driscoll said. “Slow down, so we can keep everyone safe. We would much rather find drivers are in compliance.”
Faieta said construction soon will begin on two sound barrier walls on the north side of the westbound lanes near East Beau.
The goal is to have the concrete work on the westbound side between the junction and East Beau done by November. Faieta said the eastbound side will be done next year.