Brownsville link gets priority status
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has designated construction of the Uniontown to Brownsville link of the Mon/Fayette Expressway as the next section of the toll road that will be built. State Sen. Richard Kasunic, D-Dunbar, said he was encouraged by the turnpike commission’s response to his request to prioritize the construction phase of the $360 million Mon-Fayette Expressway’s Uniontown to Brownsville link.
“Key turnpike officials have advised me that the Uniontown to Brownsville project is the next of the Mon/Fayette and Southern Beltway projects that will advance to construction,” Kasunic said. “However, it is important that additional transportation funding be identified to ensure that the entire Uniontown to Brownsville project is completed.”
Kenneth L. Slippey, project manager for the Uniontown to Brownsville link, said turnpike officials have been looking for some time at completing the Uniontown to Brownsville section of the toll road as the next link for construction of expressway. He said that the turnpike is now beginning plans for its construction, noting that “the plan is taking more shape.”
Although it all depends on when and how much funding is secured, Slippey said construction could begin by late 2005.
Slippey said the link is now in the final design phase and the turnpike commission is conducting right-of-way acquisitions.
Kasunic said Tuesday that there is no new money available for construction of the section. He said the last infusion of money was the result of a gas tax increase in 1996 under former Gov. Tom Ridge.
The previous construction money was allocated to finish the Interstate 70 to Route 51 link as well as to conduct environmental impact studies for the Route 51 to Pittsburgh link and the Findlay connector and design on southern beltway, Kasunic said.
Kasunic said to get money in the future, everyone “will have to be creative and innovative.” However, he added that encouraging news is that after the current projects are completed, money may be left over. If that is the case, Kasunic said he received a commitment that the money will go to construction of the Uniontown to Brownsville link of the Mon/Fayette Expressway.
“The turnpike commission acknowledged that if money is left over it will come to that project,” he said. Kasunic said he is hoping there is a lot of money because one of the things he would like to see first is construction of the bridge over the Monongahela River, which is estimated to cost between $60 million and $80 million.
Kasunic said if enough money isn’t available for the bridge construction, the focus may shift to either building an interchange or a couple miles of highway.
“The Turnpike Commission’s willingness to spend unused funds on construction of this section brings us one step closer to completing this 15-mile missing link.”
Claiming that the current two-lane Route 40 is hilly and rife with dangerous blind spots, Kasunic added that such a modern highway would also drastically improve highway safety.
Kasunic commended Turnpike Commission Chairman Mitchell Rubin, Turnpike Commissioner James Dodaro, and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Brimmeier for their responsiveness. He said the turnpike commission’s willingness to allocate unused funds was a “positive sign.”
A longtime advocate for completing the expressway, Kasunic said he would continue to fight for state and federal construction funding.
He said some of the options, in addition to raising taxes, include utilizing Plan H of the Mon Valley Progress Council by using federal money. Another option is to institute tolls on Interstate 80. He added that the turnpike commission is also looking at refinancing the initial bond issue.
Kasunic said legislators will explore all other options before raising taxes, but acknowledged that an increase in the gas tax is a possibility. He said progressing with the project is vital to the future of the county.
“By improving access to our region, this key highway link will open up economic and job opportunities for Fayette County families,” Kasunic said. “I am pleased that turnpike officials are heeding my call to prioritize this project.”
“The last thing we want to see is anything come to a standstill,” Kasunic said. He said it is important that the turnpike commission “understands and knows what the highway means to us.” Kasunic said he has stressed that the project has received support from community, including the efforts of FAECO, the Fayette Expressway Completion Organization. He said when the turnpike commission sees support, it gives the project incentive and enthusiasm, unlike the Route 51 to Pittsburgh link, which is facing opposition.
Jim Marzullo, executive committee chairman of FAECO, said the commitment by the turnpike commission is “very good news.” He also expressed appreciation for Kasunic’s continuing efforts to move the project forward.
“Rich Kasunic has been carrying the flag for Fayette County and has been the leader in Harrisburg in continuing to follow through to make sure the turnpike commission is committed to do the Uniontown to Brownsville link next,” Marzullo said.
Once the Uniontown to Brownsville link is completed, the Mon-Fayette Expressway will provide a continuous modern highway from Interstate 68 in West Virginia to Route 51 in Jefferson Hills.