Kasunic pitches toll road funding plan
A funding proposal by state Sen. Richard Kasunic that would assure completion of the long-awaited Brownsville-to-Uniontown link of the Mon/Fayette Expressway is in the hands of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Although construction of the 15-mile link has begun, an additional $450 million is needed to construct Phase II of the local project. After it was publicly revealed during an executive committee meeting last week to discuss the Mon/Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway projects that the funding shortfall could result in construction halting on the local project, Kasunic said any available money should be used to build the entire Uniontown to Brownsville link because it is ready to go to construction.
Kasunic, D-Dunbar, said the Senate Democratic Caucus met with the Turnpike Commission earlier this week, and Kasunic later spoke with members of the Turnpike Commission personally to advocate his idea.
At the meeting between Turnpike Commission officials and various planning, agency and local elected officials last week, it was revealed that other sections of the highway not yet ready to go to construction in the Monroeville, Canonsburg and Finleyville areas are experiencing funding shortfalls as well.
The entire project will stretch 100 miles from Interstate 68 in West Virginia through Fayette County northward to Pittsburgh and beyond when finished. About half of the road is constructed.
Kasunic said he would like to see all the money being spent on studies, design work and right-of-way acquisition for sections that are not yet ready to go to construction funneled toward completion of the Brownsville-to-Uniontown link.
“We have a project that is ready for construction,” Kasunic said. “My belief is there is enough funding available to finish that. Hopefully, with their decision-making ability they will see things the way I do and get something completed instead of doing studies that in a few years will be obsolete. It just makes sense to fund what is ready to go to construction.”
Kasunic said it would make sense to use available money to build a link from West Virginia to Route 51 in Pittsburgh to create one stretch of highway.
“We cannot let this project be shelved,” Kasunic said, adding that term was used at the executive meeting.
Kasunic previously said he has the full support of the local legislative delegation in the highway battle.
“I know that representatives (Timothy) Mahoney, (Deberah) Kula, (H. William) DeWeese and (Peter J.) Daley are all behind me in this. I’m going to do everything in my power to keep this thing moving, and I know they will too.’
Dave Zazworsky, special assistant to the Turnpike Commission, said although there are funding issues with Phase II of the link, Phase I is moving along very well. Additionally, Zazworsky said nearly all the property acquisition is complete for Phase II, and the Turnpike Commission is working closely with legislators to generate additional funding.
“I feel reasonably sure if funding is secured, the project will be completed,” Zazworsky said.
Regarding the possibility of using available money for the local link, Zazworsky said about $500 million is committed to other project contracts, and any decision to reroute that money to the Brownsville-to-Uniontown link is up to the Turnpike Commission members. Zazworsky added that Phase II of the Brownsville-to-Uniontown section is “probably next in line” for additional funding because in the past projects that are ready to go to construction get the money.
Construction of the Brownsville-to-Uniontown leg began last year. Funding is available to complete Phase I of the project, which includes about nine miles northwest from Route 51 near Uniontown to a new Brownsville connection that will tie into the Route 40 “stub,” and will do everything for Phase II short of construction. Phase II includes a section of the road that begins at the Route 40 “stub” and continue on to Centerville in Washington County, including a new bridge across the Monongahela River.
Zazworsky said the West Virginia section of the highway, which was on hold for several years, is progressing as well. He said the last mainline bridge is under construction and the entire section, which begins near Morgantown, W.Va., and I-68, and stretches to Pennsylvania, will be open in a few years.
“Things are moving. We have made a lot of progress in the last 15 years,” Zazworsky said.
Jim Marzullo, president of Fayette Expressway Completion Organization, (FAECO) said he received assurances since the meeting that the Brownsville-to-Uniontown section is next for completion as soon as money is received. He said looking at various funding options is the key to completion of the highway.
Joseph G. Brimmeier, Turnpike Commission chief executive officer, could not be reached for comment. He previously said either the Legislature has to find a way to fund the project or the Turnpike Commission must look at public and private partnerships. Brimmeier has said he believes the projects will be completed.