PennDOT plans to widen Route 50, also known as Washington Pike, in Collier.
The proposal, presented during a public meeting at Chartiers Valley Middle School, widens Washington Pike between Mayer Street to Thoms Run Road.
Construction is anticipated to begin sometime in 2027.
“We’re in the very early stages of this project; the preliminary engineering phase,” said Doug Seeley, assistant district executive for PennDOT.
The section between Great Southern Shopping Center and Vanadium Road is currently under construction with a $5.6 million widening project that began in Nov. 2022.
The upcoming project would close Winstein Road at Route 50, and install a cul-de-sac. That would allow for an additional right-turn lane to be added along Route 50 to the I-79 on-ramp, said Tyler Steele, project manager.
“The project’s purpose is to improve operations along the corridor because of future traffic demands and safety conditions,” Steele said.
Officials presented three options to widen the section near the I-79 interchange — by taking property on the west side of the road, taking property on the east side of the road, or a combination of the two. Designers anticipate choosing which option they’ll go with in about a year.
Right-of-way relocations will be necessary between Steen and Vanadium roads. Proposed plans include smaller pieces of property being taken over through eminent domain on the western side of Washington Pike between Mayer Street and Great Southern; the eastern side, around the I-79 ramps intersection; and the western side between Steen Road and Thoms Run.
Driveway access to all properties will be maintained throughout the project.
It’s anticipated that most construction will use long-term traffic control setups, Steele said. They plan on four travel lanes — two in each direction — to be maintained throughout construction.
Flaggers will be used to control traffic during construction, and PennDOT anticipates work happening between off-peak times or at night.