The three Blue Alternatives for
the Southern Beltway project between US-22 and I-79 are being advanced to Phase II
detailed engineering and environmental analyses and refinements as part of the preparation
of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
The alternatives for the project were initially presented for public
review and comment during an open house held March 12, 1997, at the Cecil Township
Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 Social Hall. As a result of public input and at the
request of the Route 50 Corridor Commission, the project study team is working to provide
additional access at the Southern Beltway’s proposed interchange with I-79. The study
team is making a preliminary evaluation of a possible local road connector that would
extend from I-79 to the intersection of Boyce Road and Mayview Road.
The concept of a local connector road was presented by the Route 50 Commission as an
alternative to a previous project considered by the PA Department of Transportation. The
primary advantage of a local road connector near the Allegheny/Washington County line
would be direct access to the Southern Beltway, I-79 and the Route 50 corridor from Cecil,
South Fayette, Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park and Peters. In turn, this would relieve
congestion along Washington Pike and at the I-79 Bridgeville interchange, plus improve
traffic flow to Pittsburgh International Airport.
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Planning Commission’s projections show that while a
new connector road being evaluated would increase traffic on Boyce Road (between Mayview
Road and US-19), and on Baker/Georgetown Road (between Washington Pike and US-19), it
would reduce traffic considerably on other part of the local highway system. For example,
year 2020 average daily traffic would be reduced by 60% on Mayview Road, 37% on the
western half of Boyce Road, 12% to 16% on Washington Pike and by 20% on Morganza Road.
