Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) held a media event to discuss work zone safety and the $19.85 million Route 51 (Clairton Boulevard) Coal Valley Road to Lebanon Church Road Interchange project as the construction season kicks off.
While construction work occurs year-round in District 11, the major construction season has begun, and drivers should expect to see construction pick up in the greater Pittsburgh region. The department reminds drivers to remain cautious when traveling through work zones, not only for the safety of the workers, but for their own safety as well.
Drivers cited by police for driving 11 mph or more above the posted speed limit in active work zones will automatically lose their license for 15 days per state law. Fines for certain traffic violations, including speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to obey traffic devices are doubled for active work zones. Drivers can also receive up to five years of additional jail time if convicted of homicide by vehicle for a crash that occurred in an active work zone.
PennDOT District 11 Executive Jason Zang discussed the many challenges of keeping work zones safe for everyone and how the motoring public can work together with PennDOT to achieve this goal. He also reminded drivers to slow down and avoid distractions when behind the wheel. This comes as April marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
According to PennDOT data, in 2024 there were 1,250 work zone crashes, resulting in 22 fatalities statewide.
PennDOT Assistant District Executive of Construction Doug Thompson discussed the continuing $19.85 million betterment project on Clairton Boulevard from Coal Valley Road to Lebanon Church Road. Work includes milling and resurfacing, concrete replacement, bridge preservation work on three structures (two structures over Lewis Run and one structure over Lebanon Church Road), drainage work, guide rail improvements, ADA curb ramp updates, PRT bus stop improvements, signing and pavement marking installation, and other miscellaneous construction activities. Also included is an Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures signal project that will provide upgrades to 24 intersections, including full signal replacement at nine intersections, from Peters Creek Road in Jefferson Hills Borough to Stewart Avenue in the City of Pittsburgh. Long-term one-mile-long single-lane restrictions will occur in each direction limiting left-turn movements except for at signalized intersections. Detours for the left-turn movements will be posted. The project is anticipated to conclude in summer 2028.
For more information, visit www.pa.gov/DOTSafety.
Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict11.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Yasmeen Manyisha, 412-429-5044 or ymanyisha@pa.gov
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