A major reconfiguration at the I-79 and Route 910 Wexford Interchange is expected to begin construction by next winter with a goal to be ready for use by 2026, PennDOT announced during an online public meeting on Feb. 7.

The new interchange will address the current congestion and safety issues.

The area sees significant traffic congestion, intersection delays, ramp queuing and more, according to the presentation. On- and off-ramps to I-79 are located on both sides of the Route 910 bridge, and there are also several traffic signals along Route 910.

The area provides a critical link to I-79 and to numerous neighborhoods, Soergel’s Orchard on Brandt School Road, a UPMC medical facility and many restaurants and businesses, according to PennDOT Project Manager Zachary Kamnikar.

Kamnikar said the area is “heavily traveled.”

The project is anticipated to cost between $46 million to $48 million, according to Eric Meyer, project manager with WRA, an engineering, architectural, construction management and environmental firm serving as the prime consultant for design of the project.

The team hopes inflation or other factors don’t affect the anticipated costs.

“Right now, we’re funded to what we think the project is going to cost. Hopefully, things stay the same but we’ll see how the economy plays out here,” said Doug Seeley, assistant district executive of design for PennDOT.

The project’s goal is to alleviate traffic problems along Wexford Bayne Road, VIP Drive and Brandt School Road, as well as the interchange on and off I-79

“It’s been a challenging location to say the least in terms of both traffic and safety standpoint,” Kamnikar said.

The project is located within Franklin Borough and Marshall Township. The team said it has met with both municipalities about the project and continue to do so during construction.

The team hopes to finalize the design in fall of 2023 and start construction, possibly beginning in winter 2024-2025.

PennDOT anticipates needing two seasons to complete improvements and be ready for use in 2026, Meyer said.

Meyer is a resident of Franklin Park, and a senior highway engineer Brent Barrett of WRA is a resident of Marshall Township, so they are both aware of the issues of the area, Meyer said.

The goal is to improve “interchange operations to accommodate current and future traffic demands, as well as reduce potential for crashes along 910 and (the) interchange,” Meyer said.

Congestion increases during the morning and afternoon rush hours. From 2017 to 2019 there were 290 total crashes, with a majority being a result of congestion.

The project will will include adding two new flyover ramps, over I-79, which will connect the northbound I-79 off- and on-ramps. It will eliminate the existing northbound ramps on Route 910, which are located on the side closer to Brandt School Road and VIP Drive.

This will help eliminate blockages and congestion on the area of VIP Drive and Brandt School Road. And traffic signaling will also be studied and addressed.

These changes will “directly support a reduction in crashes.”

Other benefits include fuel and emissions reduction, said Chad Reese, a senior traffic engineer for WRA.

The Route 910 structure will be preserved.

The presentation is available to view on the www.penndot.pa.gov.

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