Pennsylvania Turnpike Reconstruction

Location Allegheny County, PA

Client Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Services Project Management

Project Value $205 million

Hill provided construction inspection and project management services for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s (PTC) reconstruction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Allegheny County, part of the PTC’s efforts to rebuild the entire turnpike. The project comprised two mainline construction contracts and three early-action bridge replacement contracts from the Butler Valley Interchange at milepost 39 to the Allegheny Valley Interchange at milepost 48. The scope included the total reconstruction and widening of the stretch, as well as the replacement of six overhead bridges. Specifically, the PTC’s project team expanded the existing roadway from four lanes to six lanes, with three travel lanes in each direction. The project also expanded the existing median from 10 feet to 26 feet.

Prior to construction, the PTC estimated that more than 40,000 cars and trucks were using this stretch of road daily, making it one of the busiest parts of the turnpike in the region. The project helped alleviate traffic, increase safety, and promote a state of good repair along the turnpike. Because of the team’s efforts, the project was recognized with multiple industry awards, including the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Pennsylvania 2019 Diamond Award for Engineering Excellence, the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP) 2019 Project of the Year Award in Innovation, the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors (APC) 2018 Partnering Award, and the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) Pittsburgh 2017 Outstanding Engineering Award.

The Hill team provided a full suite of project management and inspection services to confirm the reconstruction efforts were completed in accordance with all contract specifications and client requirements. Hill was responsible for design review, estimating, scheduling, field surveys and inspections, quality control, reporting, document control, partnering and communications, coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and third-party utilities, environmental monitoring, change management, commissioning, and closeout. Hill also made recommendations to help the project team overcome challenges associated with tight staging areas, highway construction safety, and maintaining traffic flow throughout the project. Additionally, the Hill team managed the value engineering process, helping to realize more than $500,000 in savings for the PTC.