Crews have rolled onto the Parkway West corridor this week, kicking off a multi-million-dollar overhaul of the Route 22/30 interchange in Robinson Township. The redesign targets the chronic backups that snarl West Hills commutes, and early activity is mostly staging work, with crews unloading equipment and installing traffic controls to keep initial impacts relatively light.
According to PennDOT, the project will remove the existing loop ramps and convert the intersection to a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI). The plan also calls for replacing the Route 22/30 structure over I-376 with new dual bridges that are lengthened to accommodate future widening and increased vertical clearance. PennDOT lists the construction window as spring 2026 through summer 2029 and notes that the redesign will add direct access to Route 60 southbound toward Crafton.
As reported by WPXI, the job carries about a $58 million price tag, and crews are currently unloading gear onto roadway shoulders with minimal impacts to traffic for now. The station spoke with drivers who described the interchange as a daily "headache" and noted that there are "more restrictions expected after the NFL draft." Planning documents show a range of cost estimates, and according to the region's transportation plan, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission's TIP lists roughly $62.1 million programmed for the project.
What a Diverging Diamond Means for Drivers
The DDI design briefly shifts traffic to the left side of the road through the interchange so drivers can make left turns without crossing opposing lanes. That setup cuts down on conflict points and helps traffic move more smoothly. The Federal Highway Administration has found that DDIs can reduce delay, improve throughput, and cut certain crash types compared with more traditional interchanges.
What to Expect on the Road
Drivers can expect a mix of overnight and short-term lane restrictions early in the project, followed later by longer ramp closures and detours as bridge work ramps up into demolition and reconstruction. Local corridor advisories flag overnight single-lane restrictions and periodic ramp and detour changes in the Parkway West area, with some work intentionally scheduled at night to limit daytime disruptions (Airport Corridor Transportation Association).
Public Art and Outreach
PennDOT is also folding public outreach and aesthetics into the project. The agency selected Pittsburgh-based artist Kim Beck to design an Appalachian-themed surface treatment for the interchange, part of a "Hidden Histories" artist initiative, according to WESA. Officials say community input will continue as the work moves forward.
Motorists are urged to allow extra travel time through the West Hills, follow posted detours, and check local traffic updates and 511PA before heading into the corridor. PennDOT and local traffic partners plan to push project alerts as construction shifts into heavier phases, and drivers may want to consider alternate routes during evening and weekend closures.
