By Roger P. Healy

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has wrapped up McKnight Road construction for 2024, just ahead of winter weather and the Christmas shopping season.

The fast-approaching winter and freezing temperatures signal an end-of-year halt for the ambitious $26.9 million-dollar road repair project in Pittsburgh’s North Hills shopping district. 

PennDOT spokesperson Yasmeen Manyisha stated that PennDOT stopped work and lane restrictions to prepare for changing weather conditions. She said, “The long-term [lane] restrictions ended in mid-November, as our restrictions would impede winter weather and snow removal operations.” 

            PennDOT crews mostly worked overnight since their 19 February start, but had to maintain round-the-clock lane restrictions through most of the 5.5-mile stretch of road.

McKnight Rd. store and restaurant managers stated that the six-lane paving project and resulting traffic delays had no impact on business.

Red Lobster restaurant manager, Sabrina Stockline, said that the construction had no noticeable impact, as the restaurant was facing other concerns. “This location was on a list to shut down earlier this year,” she said. “Everyone thought we were closed. I don’t think the construction had anything to do with it. But we are very much open now.”

Stockline did say that she believed the project was beneficial. Stockline said, “I don’t think traffic will change much, but the road needs fixed. It’ll be nice when it’s done.”

Allan, floor manager at Save on Beer, said, “I don’t know about customers, but our deliveries, trucks and stuff didn’t seem to have any issues.” 

North Hills community members shared mixed feelings about the project and the traffic it created this year.

Ross Township resident Jesse DelSardo stated that he works from home, but crosses McKnight at Siebert Road to take his child to and from school. When asked whether the roadwork has caused any difficulty, DelSardo said, “I feel like it has been the same before, during, and after the construction. I do feel like more people have used Babcock [Boulevard] as a bypass, but it has been able to handle the extra flow without any major issues.”

DelSardo said that while PennDOT’s efforts probably won’t solve major traffic problems, the road repairs are necessary. “I don’t think it will solve much of anything, but was probably needed to maintain the road,” he said. 

Sophia Healy, a La Roche University resident student and McKnight Rd. commuter, offered a different perspective.

“I have to leave sometimes almost an hour early to work,” Healy said of her 3.6-mile work commute from campus to North Hills Village shopping plaza.

            Healy said that she has been late to work several times due to construction traffic, adding additional stress. 

“I’ve been late to work multiple times solely because of that traffic that builds up,” she said. “I’ve gotten in trouble for it even though my manager is pretty understanding. If I have to be there at 4 p.m. and I don’t get there until 4:15 p.m., it creates problems because other people have to stay longer.”

Manyisha said they plan to resume in early spring with drainage system work before tackling bridge repairs at the McKnight-Babcock Blvd. interchange. The bridge, Manyisha stated, is the biggest remaining obstacle.

“Motorist can expect to see a cross-over pattern in each direction of traffic. The southbound direction will be down to a single lane. This will allow the contractor to work on the northbound bridge deck repairs,” she said. “Once the northbound bridge deck repairs are completed, they will flip the cross-over in order to complete the southbound bridge deck repairs.”

The bridge and interchange are heavily used roadways that connect the North Hills to the City of Pittsburgh and Interstate-279.

 “Depending on how early we get started in 2025, we hope to wrap up in early summer,” Manyisha said of the project’s potential end date. “If weather is not on our side, it could be late summer.”

            According to press releases, the project budget increased in early April 2024 from $25.5 million to $26.9 million. While lane restrictions have been lifted, some work is still in progress as weather allows.

            Motorists can find updates and information on the project at pa.gov/agencies/penndot.html or subscribing to email updates from ymanyisha@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – McKnight Road” in the subject line.