Municipal News
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 01 August 2017 18:58
State Reps. Bill Kortz and Marc Gergely, both D-Allegheny, have issued a joint statement in appreciation of the decision to move forward with the Mon-Fayette Expressway.
“We would like to publicly acknowledge the members of the Southwest Planning Commission and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald for their hard work and willingness to work together in taking the next step toward bringing this important transportation project closer to reality,” they noted.
This project has been in the works for at least 15 years and this looks like the final hurdle to the projects construction has been overcome, thanks in large part to Allegheny County’s Executive Rich Fitzgerald’s leadership in this final vote. According to the representatives, his advocacy was key to reaching this step and a 48-4 vote in favor of moving the project forward.
“We would also like to recognize and thank the many municipalities in the area that publicly endorsed the project through resolutions supporting the plan,” they continued, stating, “Many of our colleagues in the legislature also supported the plan, including state Senators Jim Brewster, Jay Costa, Pat Stefano, Camera Bartolotta and Kim Ward and 19 state House members from Southwestern Pennsylvania. We have long believed that this short highway extension is crucial for the economic future of the Mon Valley. Funding has already been established thanks to the transportation bill we voted in favor of in 2011, Act 89.”
The Southwestern Planning Commission voted Monday to move forward on the 14-mile, $2 billion project that will provide highway access from Jefferson Hills to Monroeville.
Construction is expected to begin in 2020.