Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 11, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP) hosted a media event to discuss best practices for motorists while traveling through work zones and the I-376 (Parkway East) Churchill to Monroeville Betterment project as the construction season is underway.
While work can occur year-round, the major construction season has begun, and motorists should expect to see more work zones. The agencies remind drivers to remain cautious when driving through work zones, not only for the safety of the workers, but for their own safety as well.
Motorists 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 motorists and crew members safe in work zones, with speeding being a primary safety concern. He also reminded drivers to familiarize themselves with the laws that are often forgotten, including turning on your headlights when driving through a work zone.
Jason Koss, Director of Industry Relations with the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania shared the dangers crew members face on a regular basis. Often crew members are working near live traffic with very little, if anything, between them and speeding or distracted motorists.
According to preliminary PennDOT data, in 2023 there were 1,216 work zone crashes, resulting in 22 fatalities statewide. Since 1970, PennDOT has lost 90 workers in the line of duty.
PSP Trooper Melinda Bondarenka addressed how motorists can make safer choices, not only in work zones but on all roadways, to protect crew members and emergency personnel. Trooper Bondarenka also discussed the consequences of making bad choices behind the wheel. PSP and other law enforcement will continue to enforce traffic and work zone safety laws to keep drivers and crew members safe.
PennDOT Assistant District Executive of Construction Doug Thompson discussed the already underway I-376 (Parkway East) 4.5-mile betterment project between the Churchill/Route 130 (Exit 79B) and Monroeville/Route 48 (Exit 84A) exits. Work includes a superstructure replacement over Old William Penn Highway, two bridge rehabilitations over Old William Penn Highway/Lougay Road/Sunset Drive and Thompson Run Road/Thompson Run/Union Railroad, and six bridge preservations along I-376. Throughout the project motorists can expect long-term single-lane restrictions, several weekends with traffic down to a single lane, and a long-term crossover next year. The overall project is anticipated to conclude in fall 2026.
For more information on work zone safety, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.
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Contact: Yasmeen Manyisha, ymanyisha@pa.gov
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