Preliminary work underway for Route 119 revamp south of Westmoreland-Fayette border

Preliminary work is underway to set the stage for a $53.9 million PennDOT project meant to reduce crashes by reworking a section of Route 119 in Upper Tyrone and Bullskin townships — just over the border from Westmoreland County into Fayette County.

That area of Route 119 includes intersections with McClure and Kingview roads where crashes have occurred.

Motorists may encounter intermittent single-lane restrictions in the project area between the Mt. Pleasant-Scottdale and Everson exits on Route 119.

PennDOT District 12 spokesperson Melissa Maczko said crews are working to clear trees, relocate water and sewer lines and begin excavation of embankments. In the coming weeks, work is expected to shift to drilling holes and using grout to stabilize a mine in the project area.

Plum Contracting is the primary contractor for the project, which involves removing traffic signals at the intersections and constructing the short Connector Road, including a new bridge over Route 119.

That road and bridge will provide a new route for vehicles to make turns and travel between Kendi Road, on the southbound side of Route 119, and Mt. Pleasant Road, on the northbound side of the highway.

A roundabout is planned at the intersection of Connector and Mt. Pleasant roads while Kendi Road will be extended to connect with Kingview Road.

Construction is projected to continue through 2028. Detours are anticipated as work on the project reaches more advanced phases.

A woman was killed near the McClure Road intersection in 2020 after hitting a deer, and a motorcyclist died near the Kingview Road intersection in March 2024. Four people were hurt in a fiery three-vehicle collision at the Kingview Road intersection in 2015.

To view the online plans for the project, visit penndot.pa.gov/District12, then click on “Projects & Public Meetings” and “Fayette County Projects.” Then select “Route 119 - McClure/Kingview Interchange Project.”