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Route 28 Highland Park Interchange Project​

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Project Overview

The purpose of the project is to address the existing bottleneck and congested traffic flow on Route 28 (Allegheny Valley Expressway) and other operational and safety issues within the Route 28/Highland Park Bridge/Freeport Road Interchange. 

The project involves the reconstruction of Route 28 between North Canal Street/Kittanning Pike and extending north/east to the Delafield Avenue Interchange, the re-establishment of two travel lanes on Route 28 in each direction through the interchange, and the construction of improved acceleration and deceleration ramps. Also included in the project is the reconstruction of the Route 28 ramps with the Highland Park Bridge and Freeport Road, bridge/wall preservation work, bridge, and roadway widening, sound barriers, and miscellaneous operational and safety improvements. 

The Highland Park Bridge river crossing and the Riverfront 47 Development are not part of this project

Sound Barriers

PennDOT worked with the Office for Public Art to hire Pittsburgh-based artist Brian Peters to design a unique sound barrier along SR 28 as part of the Highland Park Interchange project.  This short video clip briefly outlines the process we went through for the sound barrier design.  It is anticipated that a more detailed video will be produced toward the end of the project to provide more information on the process.  The video was produced by Make Roots and funded by the Office for Public Art.

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Project Updates

3-16-23

PennDOT District 11 is announcing the long-term closure of the ramp from the northbound Highland Park Bridge to southbound Route 28 in Sharpsburg Borough, Allegheny County, will continue Monday, March 20 weather permitting.

Beginning at approximately 7 a.m. on Monday, the ramp from northbound Highland Park Bridge to southbound Route 28 (toward Pittsburgh) will close to traffic around-the-clock through mid-May. Crews will complete reconstruction work, bridge rehabilitation, and drainage improvements on the ramp that began last October. Ramp traffic to southbound Route 28 will be detoured. 

Posted Detours

Northbound Highland Park Bridge to Southbound Route 28

  • Take Route 8 (Butler Street/Washington Boulevard) northbound 
  • Turn right onto the 62nd Street Bridge
  • Take the ramp to Route 28 via Sharpsburg
  • Continue straight on Bridge Street
  • Turn left onto the ramp to southbound Route 28
  • End detour

Freeport Road to Southbound Route 28

  • From Freeport Road at the Highland Park Bridge, take the ramp to northbound Route 28
  • Take the Fox Chapel Road/Waterworks Drive/Freeport Road (Exit 8) off-ramp
  • On the ramp, bear left toward Fox Chapel Road
  • Turn left onto Fox Chapel Road
  • Turn left onto the ramp to southbound Route 28
  • Follow southbound Route 28 back to the Virginia Avenue Extension ramp
  • End detour

Alternate Route

Freeport Road to Southbound Route 28

  • From the Highland Park Bridge, continue southbound on Freeport Road through Sharpsburg
  • Freeport Road becomes Main Street
  • Take the ramp to southbound Route 28
  • End detour

Additionally, beginning at approximately 7 a.m. on Monday, the ramp from Virginia Avenue Extension to southbound Route 28 will close to traffic around-the-clock through early August. Crews will conduct ramp reconstruction work, sound wall installation, barrier placement, and drainage improvements. Ramp traffic to southbound Route 28 will be detoured.

Posted Detour

Virginia Avenue Extension to Southbound Route 28 (from the closed ramp)

  • Take Virginia Avenue Extension to Lexington Avenue
  • Turn left onto 4th Street
  • Take the ramp to northbound Route 28
  • Take the Fox Chapel Road/Waterworks Drive/Freeport Road (Exit 8) off-ramp
  • On the ramp, bear left toward Fox Chapel Road
  • Turn left onto Fox Chapel Road
  • Turn left onto the ramp to southbound Route 28
  • Follow southbound Route 28 back to the Virginia Avenue Extension ramp
  • End detour

Virginia Avenue Extension to Southbound Route 28 (from Freeport Road)

  • From Freeport Road, take Delafield Road northbound 
  • Turn right onto the ramp to northbound Route 28
  • Take the Fox Chapel Road/Waterworks Drive/Freeport Road (Exit 8) off-ramp
  • On the ramp, bear left toward Fox Chapel Road
  • Turn left onto Fox Chapel Road
  • Turn left onto the ramp to southbound Route 28
  • Follow southbound Route 28 back to the Virginia Avenue Extension ramp
  • End detour

1-9-23

PennDOT District 11 is announcing daylight single-lane restrictions on Route 28 in Aspinwall and Fox Chapel boroughs and O'Hara Township, Allegheny County, will begin Monday, January 9 weather permitting.

Single-lane restrictions will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays according to the following schedule:

  • Northbound Route 28 between the Highland Park Bridge and the Delafield Avenue (Exit 7) off-ramp through early April

  • Southbound Route 28 between the Fox Chapel Road on-ramp and the bridge over Center Avenue through mid-February

 
Crews will conduct sound wall panel installation work.

Please allow extra time and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

9-29-22

PennDOT District 11 is announcing the long-term closure of the ramp from the northbound Highland Park Bridge to southbound Route 28 in Sharpsburg Borough, Allegheny County, will begin Tuesday, October 4 weather permitting.

Beginning at approximately 7 a.m. on Tuesday, the ramp from northbound Highland Park Bridge to southbound Route 28 (toward Pittsburgh) will close to traffic around-the-clock through mid-December. Crews will conduct reconstruction work, bridge rehabilitation, and drainage improvements on the ramp.  Ramp traffic to southbound Route 28 will be detoured.

Posted Detour
Northbound Highland Park Bridge to Southbound Route 28

  • Take Route 8 (Butler Street/Washington Boulevard) northbound

  • Turn right onto the 62nd Street Bridge

  • Take the ramp to Route 28 via Sharpsburg

  • Continue straight on Bridge Street

  • Turn left onto the ramp to southbound Route 28

  • End detour

8-26-22

PennDOT District 11 is announcing the long-term closure of the ramp from the northbound Highland Park Bridge to Freeport Road (Sharpsburg Exit) in Sharpsburg Borough, Allegheny County, will begin Monday, August 29 weather permitting.

Beginning at approximately 6 a.m. on Monday, the ramp from northbound Highland Park Bridge to Freeport Road (Sharpsburg Exit) will close to traffic around-the-clock through early February 2023. Crews will conduct reconstruction work, bridge rehabilitation, and drainage improvements on the ramp.  Ramp traffic to Freeport Road will be detoured.

Posted Detour
Northbound Highland Park Bridge to Freeport Road (Sharpsburg Exit)

  • Continue on the Highland Park Bridge past the closed ramp

  • Take the ramp to northbound Route 28 toward Tarentum

  • Take the Fox Chapel/Waterworks Drive/Freeport Road off-ramp (Exit 8)

  • Bear right towards Waterworks Drive/Freeport Road

  • Turn right onto Freeport Road

  • Follow Freeport Road back to the Highland Park Bridge

  • End detour

 
The ramp to northbound Freeport Road (Aspinwall Exit) will remain open. 

8-24-22

PennDOT District 11 is announcing the reopening of the ramp from the Highland Park Bridge to northbound Route 28 in Aspinwall Borough, Allegheny County, will occur today, Wednesday, August 24.

The ramp that carries traffic from the Highland Park Bridge to northbound Route 28 is expected to reopen to traffic at approximately 4 p.m. today.  The ramp has been closed since late March to allow crews to conduct reconstruction work, bridge rehabilitation, sound wall construction, and drainage improvements on the ramp. 

The ramp work is part of the $47.31 million improvement project that will address the existing bottleneck and congested traffic flow on Route 28 at the Highland Park Bridge interchange. The project, which started in late 2020, involves the reconstruction of Route 28 between North Canal Street/Kittanning Pike and Delafield Avenue, the establishment of two travel lanes in each direction through the interchange, and the reconstruction of acceleration and deceleration ramps. The project also features the reconstruction of ramps at the Highland Park Bridge/Freeport Road interchange, bridge and wall preservation work, roadway widening, sound barrier installation, and miscellaneous operational and safety improvements. Lane restrictions on Route 28 and long-term ramp closures will occur throughout the project which is expected to conclude in late 2023.

6-30-22

PennDOT District 11 is announcing the long-term closure of the ramp from the Highland Park Bridge to northbound Route 28 in Aspinwall Borough, Allegheny County, will be extended.

The closure of the ramp from the Highland Park Bridge to northbound Route 28 will be extended through mid-August due to unforeseen repair and replacement of damaged of Mechanically Stabilized Earth wall straps, material procurement, and added work to the mainline Route 28 bridge structure over Center Avenue. Ramp traffic will continue to be detoured around-the-clock.

Posted Detour

  • Highland Park Bridge (and Freeport Road) to Northbound Route 28

  • From the Highland Park Bridge, take the ramp to Aspinwall

  • Follow Freeport Road to Fox Chapel Road

  • Turn left onto Fox Chapel Road

  • Turn left onto the ramp to northbound Route 28

  • End detour

Alternate Highland Park Bridge to Northbound Route 28

  • From the Highland Park Bridge, take the ramp to southbound Route 28

  • Take the ramp to North 8 (Exit 5) toward Butler

  • Turn left onto Kittanning Street

  • Turn right onto Crescent Street

  • Turn right onto Grant Avenue

  • Turn right onto southbound Route 8

  • Take the ramp to North 28 toward Kittanning

  • Follow northbound Route 28 back to the Highland Park Bridge interchange

  • End detour

11-15-21

PennDOT District 11 is announcing overnight closures on the northbound Route 28 ramp to northbound Route 8 in Etna Borough, Allegheny County, will begin tonight, Monday night, November 15 weather permitting.

The ramp that carries traffic from northbound Route 28 to northbound Route 8 will close to traffic weeknights from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday night, November 26. Crews from Boschung America will conduct anti-icing system maintenance work. Ramp traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detour

  • From northbound Route 28, take the Exit 5A ramp to South Route 8/RD Fleming Bridge/Sharpsburg (62nd Street Bridge)

  • At the stop sign, turn left onto Bridge Street

  • Turn right onto Butler Street

  • Turn right onto Kittanning Street

  • Follow to Route 8

  • End detour

10-26-21

PennDOT District 11 is announcing an overnight traffic shift on southbound Route 28 in O'Hara Township, Allegheny County, will occur Wednesday night, October 27 weather permitting.

Southbound Route 28 traffic will be shifted from the right lane to the left lane (the on-ramp from the Highland Park Bridge) from 7 p.m. Wednesday night through 5 a.m. Thursday morning. Crews will stage and erect bridge beams from the closed right hand-lane of southbound Route 28 on the structure over the 23rd Street Extension. The on-ramp from the Highland Park Bridge to southbound Route 28 will be placed in a stop condition.

Please use caution when traveling through the work zone.

8-5-21

PennDOT District 11 is announcing a single-lane restriction on the ramp that carries the traffic from the Highland Park Bridge to southbound Route 28 in Sharpsburg Borough, Allegheny County, will begin Thursday, August 5 weather permitting.

A single-lane restriction will occur on the ramp from the Highland Park Bridge to southbound Route 28 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Thursday, August 12. The ramp will remain open to traffic. Crews will conduct paint containment removal work. No work will occur on the weekend.

7-23-21

PennDOT District 11 is announcing the permanent closure of the ramp from northbound Freeport Road to the Highland Park Bridge in Sharpsburg Borough, Allegheny County will be implemented Monday morning, July 26 weather permitting.

Beginning at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday, the ramp from northbound Freeport Road to the Highland Park Bridge will permanently close to traffic.  The closed ramp will be utilized as a pedestrian detour while the structure over Freeport Road is reconstructed. Future phases of construction to the Freeport Road/Highland Park Bridge interchange will accommodate traffic in both directions of Freeport Road. In the meantime, northbound Freeport Road traffic to the Highland Park Bridge will be detoured.

Posted Detour

  • Northbound Freeport Road to the Highland Park Bridge

  • From northbound Freeport Road, continue past the permanently closed ramp

  • Turn left onto Fox Chapel Road

  • Turn left onto the ramp to southbound Route 28 toward Pittsburgh

  • Take the left-hand ramp to South 8 Highland Park Bridge/Aspinwall (Exit 6)

  • Follow the ramp to the Highland Park Bridge

  • End detour

Additionally, single-lane restrictions will occur in both directions of Freeport Road at the overhead structure at the Highland Park Bridge. Crews will conduct reconstruction work on the structure, ramp reconstruction work, and utility work.

7-7-21

PennDOT District 11 is announcing single-lane restrictions on Route 28 in various municipalities in Allegheny County, will occur this weekend, Friday night through Monday morning, July 9-12 weather permitting.

A single-lane restriction will occur on Route 28 in each direction between the Millvale (Exit 3B) interchange and the Highland Park Bridge from 7 p.m. Friday night continuously through 5 a.m. Monday morning as crews conduct concrete patching and repairs. 

6-15-21

PennDOT District 11 is announcing the long-term closure of the ramp from northbound Route 28 to the Highland Park Bridge in Sharpsburg Borough, Allegheny County, will begin Monday morning, June 21 weather permitting.

Beginning at approximately 3 a.m. on Monday, the ramp from northbound Route 28 to the Highland Park Bridge/Aspinwall (Exit 6) will close to traffic for 83 consecutive days.  Crews will conduct expansion dam and bearing replacement, concrete repairs, blasting and painting operations, drainage improvements, steel repairs, and an epoxy overlay on the deck. Ramp traffic will be detoured.

Posted Detour

  • From northbound Route 28, take the RD Fleming Bridge/Sharpsburg (Exit 5A) off-ramp

  • Continue straight at the stop sign

  • Bear right onto North Main Street (Route 1001)

  • North Main Street becomes Main Street

  • Main Street becomes Freeport Road

  • Take the ramp to the Highland Park Bridge

  • End detour

Alternate Detour

  • From northbound Route 28, continue past the closed ramp

  • Take the Fox Chapel Road/Waterworks Drive/Freeport Road (Exit 8) off-ramp

  • Bear left toward Fox Chapel Road

  • At the stop sign, turn left onto Fox Chapel Road

  • Turn left onto the ramp to southbound Route 28

  • From southbound Route 28 take the left-hand off-ramp to South 8/Highland Park Bridge/Aspinwall (Exit 6)

  • End detour

6-11-21

PennDOT District 11 is announcing a daylight lane restriction on northbound Route 28 in Aspinwall Borough, Allegheny County, will begin Monday, June 14 weather permitting.

A single-lane restriction will occur as needed on northbound Route 28 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Wednesday, July 14 between the Highland Park Bridge and Delafield Avenue (Exit 7). Crews will conduct demolition work on the bridge over Lexington and Delafield Avenues.  

3-30-20

In March 2020 the project's public involvement period was completed. The project is scheduled to let later this summer and work is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2020. 

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