I-70 NEW STANTON INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WINS AWARDS

The Interstate 70 New Stanton Interchange Improvement Project was awarded the 2018 ASHE Pittsburgh Section’s Outstanding Highway Engineering Award in the Large Projects category, as well as the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors’ (APC) Total Quality Initiative (TQI) & Partnering Award. The TQI award program is part of APC’s effort to be a catalyst for creating a team approach to completing projects that result in improved quality and cost-effectiveness. This high-profile PennDOT District 12 project involved McCormick Taylor's communications and environmental teams in Pittsburgh.

 

McCormick Taylor provided public involvement and environmental permit assistance on this extensive interchange redesign project located in Westmoreland County. The project consolidated two substandard interchanges into one modern, safe facility. The new interchange design incorporates three roundabouts at the on- and off-ramps and improved acceleration/deceleration lanes to meet current design standards.

 

The New Stanton Interchange Project included 50 partial and total property acquisitions, making public involvement a key component of project development. This was the first project in the state to employ partnering processes throughout all phases of development, including internal partnering among the design consultants, subconsultants, and managers from various disciplines in PennDOT’s District and Central Offices to move this complex interchange consolidation project in a timely way.

 

McCormick Taylor also convened a Community Partnering Committee (CPC), comprised of local business owners, residents, emergency service providers, and other stakeholders who worked with the project team throughout the preliminary engineering, final design, right-of-way, and construction phases of the project. The CPC worked together to develop communication strategies to help drivers travel safely through the work zone and continue to visit local businesses during construction.

ty new stanton award
Members of the project team with the ASHE Outstanding Highway Engineering Award
new stanton briefing
Several meetings and briefings were held throughout design and construction to keep the community informed about project progress.
new stanton construction 1
Ramp and roundabout construction (Photo courtesy of PennDOT District 12)
new stanton construction 2
I-70 mainline reconstruction (Photo courtesy of PennDOT District 12)

These strategies were compiled into a Construction Communications Plan that leveraged local communication resources to keep the community and travelers informed as construction progressed. This Community Partnering effort was done in collaboration with the Smart Growth Partnership and Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development to ensure that the project supported existing, planned and future development.

 

McCormick Taylor’s Environmental Services Group prepared a Categorical Exclusion Evaluation (CEE) Level 2 for the project. The team also conducted noise studies and wetland and surface water delineations. Approximately 1, 470 feet of stream and 9 wetlands were impacted by the project. A Community Impact Assessment form was completed, based on field work, discussions with the municipal officials, and review of the Borough's Comprehensive Plan. 

 

Click here to learn more about the project.