Heads up, Pittsburgh commuters: expect some nighttime disruptions starting this Wednesday. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced that the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) ramp on Route 4003 (McKnight Road) will be closed as needed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights through mid-August, as per Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 11. These closures are due to paving operations, part of the larger McKnight Road improvement project.
Motorists will need to reroute their usual commutes, taking the Perrysville Avenue/Route 19 exit; this detour will see them turn right onto Route 19 (Perry Highway) and then right onto Cemetery Lane, finally getting back on track by turning left onto the ramp southbound I-279 towards Pittsburgh, followed by taking the East Street (Exit 4) exit, turning right onto East Street toward McKnight Road and continuing straight to Evergreen Road where they’ll proceed to McKnight Road, concluding the detour. It's a bit of a loop, but it's the best alternate path during those paving hours.
The McKnight Road improvement project boasts a hefty $26.99 million budget and includes a series of enhancements. On the list are bridge and culvert preservation, the milling and paving roads, base repairs, and extensive work on drainage, pipeline, and guide rails. Additionally, the project will bring signal and American Disabilities Act (ADA) ramp upgrades, waterline replacements, concrete curb replacements, and new signs and pavement markings. This stretch of overhaul extends between Venture Street and Perrymont Road, covering the Babcock Boulevard/Evergreen Road ramps.
Expect this project to last until Spring 2025, with a 12-day closure of the Nelson Run Road interchange on the horizon, two-weekend closures at the Venture Street intersection, and several other overnight ramp closures necessary for paving operations and structure repairs; the prime contractor for this expansive work is Lindy Paving, Inc.
