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Mon-Fayette Expressway:  PA-51 to I-376 Section

North Shore Alternative recommended as the Preferred Alternative fop the Mon/Fayette Expressway from PA Route 51 to 1-376

In March/April 2001, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission presented the North Shore and South Shore Alternatives (shown below) at a series of six public meetings.  Both alternatives were evaluated in detailed studies for the DEIS along with the No-Build Alternative.  Based on comments received at the public meetings, as well as the identified project needs; engineering parameters, environmental effects, public and environmental agency input and the following specific reasons, the North Shore Alternative is the Recommended Preferred Alternative:

·        The North Shore Alternative would provide improved access to abandoned brownfield sites in Duquesne, Penn Hills, Rankin, Swissvale and Hazelwood, which are still in early phases of redevelopment.  It would also improve direct access to the Duquesne City Center and Carrie Furnace brownfield sites by adding access ramps from local roads into the sites, over active railroad lines.  This would meet the identified need to create transportation services capable of supporting economic development.  The South Shore Alternative would conflict with land use plans being implemented at The Waterfront and the South Side Works, the two most advanced brownfield redevelopment projects within the study corridor.

·        The North Shore Alternative would reduce travel times to medical facilities, education centers and employment centers in the Oakland by up to 68 minutes over the No-Build Alternative.  This would meet the identified project need of improving accessibility to social services and by emergency services, as well as the identified need to relieve existing and future predicted congestion.

·        Elected officials from the 19 municipalities in the study corridor, as well as Allegheny County officials, overwhelmingly favor the North Shore Alternative.

·        Based on written responses received from the March/ April 2001 public meetings, those expressing a preference showed strong support for the North Shore Alternative.

·        Earthwork for the North Shore Alternative would be balanced.  All excess fill material could be accommodated within the project right-of-way.  The South Shore Alternative would create an earthwork imbalance for the project, requiring off-site disposal of approximately 6.7 million cubic yards of waste fill.

·        The South Shore Alternative would cost approximately $2,674 million to construct, over $788 million more than the North Shore Alternative.

·        The North Shore Alternative would accommodate all currently proposed riverfront trail projects, while the South Shore Alternative would displace 2.7 miles of proposed right-of-way for the Steel Valley Trail, with no opportunity for replacement.

While the North Shore Alternative is identified as the Recommended Preferred Alternative, the final selection will not be made until comments on the DEIS and FEIS have been fully evaluated.  The Federal Highway Administration will identify the Selected Alternative in the Record of Decision.