Major PennDOT work looms on Upper St. Clair horizon
With the approach of spring comes the advent of construction season, and 2020 looks to be a busy one in Upper St. Clair.
Two major state Department of Transportation projects will affect traffic patterns on two of the area’s more heavily traveled thoroughfares, Route 19 and McLaughlin Run Road.
Work from Route 19’s interchange with McMurray and McLaughlin Run north to the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon represents a continuation of last year’s improvements south of the cloverleaf to the Peters Township line.
The 2020 project includes paving and upgrades to catch basins, curbing, crosswalks and traffic signals, according to Upper St. Clair Township manager Matt Serakowski.
“All the signals will be changed to decorative mast arms, similar to what you see here at Panther Pass,” he said, referencing the McLaughlin Run Road entrance to Upper St. Clair High School. “That’s the township’s contribution to the projects.”
Meanwhile, PennDOT is getting ready to embark on the long-anticipated reconstruction of McLaughlin Run’s intersection with Lesnett and McMillan roads in a roundabout configuration. Work is expected to start in early to mid-April, with utilities relocating lines in the interim.
“It will be a multiphase project that will last at least a year and a half, possibly two years,” Serakowski said. “It is PennDOT’s expressed intent to keep traffic flowing through the area. There are to be no permanent road closures, but there definitely will be a disruption in travel.”
The project is paid for by state funding, largely through the efforts of retired state Rep. John Maher.
“The township was exploring improving that intersection on its own. That would have had to be fully funded by the township on its own,” Serakowski said.
“That’s why we applaud former Rep. Maher and his ability to have funding added. Otherwise, the taxpayers of Upper St. Clair would be picking up that improvement.”
He acknowledged that it may take some time for motorists to get used to the new configuration once it’s in place, but the efforts could prove to be worthwhile.
“PennDOT has assured through their traffic studies that this will be an improvement as far as traffic circulation through the area,” he said.