Traffic restrictions set as Exit 46 ramp opens on I-70 in Rostraver

Repairs and a ramp change will cause traffic restrictions on sections of Interstate 70 in Rostraver this week.

Rolling single-lane restrictions will take place 8 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday for traffic traveling in both directions between Exits 44 (Arnold City) and 49 (Smithton). According to PennDOT, this will allow crews to make repairs to a glare screen on the median barrier.

A daytime single-lane restriction will be in effect 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday for westbound traffic between Exits 49 (Smithton) and 46 (Pittsburgh/Uniontown). During that time, Penn Line crews will repair guide rails.

Eastbound traffic will encounter a single-lane restriction 8 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday between Exits 44 (Arnold City) and 49 (Smithton). That will allow Golden Triangle Construction to set up a new traffic pattern, switching motorists from a temporary 0ff-ramp to a permanent one at Exit 46 (Pittsburgh/Uniontown).

The work schedule is dependent on weather conditions and is part of a $120.6 million project to update the interchange at I-70 and Route 51 Interchange Project and an adjacent portion of the interstate — which will have wider shoulders.

Traffic began using the partially completed “diverging diamond” interchange at Route 51 in July.

In the diverging diamond format, the northbound and southbound lanes cross over and swap positions at each end of the bridge. That allows motorists who are turning left from Route 51 onto I-70 to do so without having to complete the move in front of oncoming traffic.

Spokesperson Melissa Maczko said PennDOT is working to have all lanes of the revamped Route 51 interchange open to traffic by Thanksgiving. She said there will be some final detail work to wrap up on the project next year.