McKnight Road Construction to Cause Serious Delays
By Roger Healy
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will begin a major construction project on McKnight Road this spring.
PennDOT planned to start the $25.5 million dollar project on Feb. 5, but weather forecasts and overnight temperatures delayed the launch.
PennDOT District 11 Safety Press Officer Yasmeen Manyisha stated on Feb. 9 that work “will be postponed until further notice.”
Construction boards at Peebles Road and the Babcock Boulevard interchange displayed Feb. 19 as the new start date. Manyisha, however, announced it as “weather permitting” as of Feb. 15.
The majority of the work will take place overnights from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.. Still, around-the-clock lane closures and daytime work will occur throughout the project.
Construction will span the 5.5 mile stretch between Venture Street and Perrymont Avenue, including bridge preservation and ramp work at the Babcock interchange.
Other work includes bridge and culvert repair, drainage improvement, median repair, sign and signaling changes, and new pavement. Crews last paved the busy road in 2011.
The press release also warns of a 12-day shutdown and traffic crossover at the Nelson Run Road interchange. The shutdown will impede access to the city and I-279 South from McKnight Road.
West View Water Authority (WVWA) began daytime work along McKnight Rd in early February. Water main breaks in September 2023, and January and February 2024 left businesses and homes without water for hours at a time.
Babcock Boulevard, Old Perry Highway, Siebert Road, and Thompson Run Road will see more traffic as drivers detour work zones on McKnight. Current roadwork on Thompson Run between Siebert and Vilsack Road will add to delays if the projects overlap
Expect heavy traffic and travel delays along McKnight and alternate routes when work does begin. Commuters should stay informed on progress and expect to increase travel times.
Motorists can subscribe to updates by emailing ymanyisha@pa.gov with “Subscribe McKnight Road” in the subject line.
Updates are also available through local broadcast news channels. KDKA, WTAE, and WPXI, frequently provide updates, changes, and progress of road work throughout the Pittsburgh area.
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