Sep 9, 2005 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

As representatives from PENNDOT and other county and local officials took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Route 119 Walnut Hill Interchange project Thursday morning, men wearing hard hats and neon vests worked near the side of the highway, no more than 100 feet away. Everyone who spoke at the ceremony said they are excited to see the $6.7 million project get under way. Crews from Joseph B. Fay Co. of Tarentum have been working to resurface the portion of Walnut Hill Road that travels over the Route 119 bypass in South Union Township.

Work has begun on the interchange, however, the bulk of construction is not expected to get under way until next year.

Gary Hoffman, deputy secretary for the state Highway Administration, said plans call for ramps to be built across Walnut Hill Road from the two ramps already in place, with traffic signals at each intersection.

A third traffic signal will be installed near where a new Shop ‘n Save supermarket is being constructed at the Walnut Hill Plaza near the Uniontown Shopping Center, he said.

Hoffman said new overhead signs will be placed once the new ramps are constructed and said structural repairs will also be done, in addition to drainage upgrades.

Robert Schiffbauer, South Union Township supervisor, said he and the other supervisors have been lobbying and trying to acquire funding to complete the Walnut Hill ramps when the final leg of the Uniontown bypass was constructed, but said the project was put on hold.

He said he is ecstatic the project is finally under way and said the new ramps will create more opportunity for economic development within the township and the surrounding area.

“We needed this highway project to be completed,” he said. “We know there is great potential for economic development.”

Fayette County Commissioner Vincent Vicites echoed Schiffbauer’s comments in regards to the economic impact the two new ramps will have in within the township and within the county.

“We knew this was a very important project and that it needed to be done,” Vicites said. “Once it’s completed we will be able to maximize the economic potential.”

State Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Dunbar), who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony, said this project will have a huge impact by allowing people easier access Routes 119 and 43.

Hoffman said he the project is to be finished by December 2006 and said he is confident it will be finished on schedule.