Phase 5 Construction Starts This Week On Rt. 28
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The four-lane reprieve has been well received and the finished portions of Route 28 are getting good reviews.
"It's a lot better road than what it was before," one driver said.
But it has been a temporary reprieve from the beginning and Route 28 drivers know all too well the impact of the message on a sign warning of more construction.
"It's just very difficult to get around and it takes time to get out of town and you have to plan around it," another driver said.
So let the planning begin because Tuesday after the evening rush hour, Route 28 construction begins, entering Phase Five.
"That's basically going to include northbound traffic to one lane," said PennDOT District 11 Executive Dan Cessna.
The one-lane configuration will begin just after the Chesnut Street and Madison Exit ramps, which no doubt will back up traffic into the North Shore.
"I can't imagine the backups and stuff we're going to have here," a Rt. 28 driver said.
All outbound traffic will be funneled into the far right lane with the inbound traffic taking the center two lanes and a Jersey barrier sealing off the curb lane for construction.
Watch Ralph Iannotti's report:
"There's a lot of men and equipment moving into that area and we need a safe work space separated by Jersey barrier," Cessna said.
The work will take about 11 months, with 11-foot lanes replacing the existing 10-foot lanes – as well as 2-foot shoulders.
"It will be a lot safer," Cessna said. "The key factor is going to be the Jersey barrier that separates outbound traffic from inbound traffic."
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