A major change to a portion of the Parkway West is in the works.
Earlier this week, PennDOT proposed an overhaul to the Steubenville Pike interchange in Robinson Township, including the Route 22/30 bridge that runs over the parkway.
The estimated $26 million project would include replacing the bridge and redeveloping the interchange using a diverging diamond model.
Mike Szurely, project manager with PennDOT District 11 said the diverging diamond will improve traffic flow and safety.
"It actually transitions you to the opposite side of the roadway for more free-flowing traffic movements, and this is what helps us to get a better operational traffic flow," he said.
As for the bridge, Szurely said it's considered to be in "fair condition" and in need of repairs.
"We're right at that point now where rehabilitation is necessary just to make sure it does fall into that 'poor' category," he said. "So, there's things we need to address."
Along with replacing the bridge, the proposal includes lengthening it and increasing the vertical clearance. PennDOT says lengthening the bridge would allow for expanding the Parkway West in the future.
PennDOT is looking for input from the public. Comment can be submitted on their website.
If the project gets the green light, construction is likely to begin in 2024 and wrap in winter 2026. Lane restrictions and complete closures of the parkway are expected.