Local leaders hope the new interchange will invigorate economic development in the area by providing easier access to the turnpike.
In an article for the Pittburgh Post-Gazettte, Ed Blazina reports on a plan announced by Westmoreland County officials to begin work on a new interchange "where Route 130 and the turnpike meet near Pleasant Valley Road and an existing turnpike maintenance facility" near Penn Township, which currently lacks convenient access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a crucial linkage between Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia.
With residential developments proliferating in the formerly rural community, local leaders hope that commercial development could ease the burden on taxpayers and bring more economic development to the area. Blazina quotes state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward as saying that "the interchange should help to bring commercial and industrial development to the township, which has had substantial residential growth the last three decades."
While the agency hasn't settled on a final configuration, Turnpike Chief Engineer Brad Heigel told the Post-Gazette that they are evaluating several options. After languishing for years due to lack of funding, state lawmakers believe the project can finally move ahead, bringing improved mobility and new economic opportunities to the area.
FULL STORY: Turnpike to build new interchange in Westmoreland County
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