SOUTHERN BELTWAY PRE-OPENING TOUR

On August 25, 2021, Pitt faculty and students visited the Pennsylvania Turnpike Southern Beltway project as the new section between US Route 22 and I-79 neared completion prior to its mid-October opening to the public. The visit included a tour of the entire new facility, with intermittent stops to observe and discuss final paving operations, major structures, environmental issues that were addressed during construction, electronic tolling systems and a new maintenance facility. Engineers from both the Turnpike and its construction manager CDR Maguire provided an excellent explanation of the many issues associated with construction of a new facility in an environmentally sensitive, suburban area.