Project award

A major award for outstanding highway work has been given for the I-279/SR28 connector ramp project. The project design team was recently given the 2009 Outstanding Highway Project Award by the 2391 American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE). The I-279/SR28 connector ramp project received the award in the category for projects costing less than US$15 million. A key factor in this project being selected was the complexity in designing and constructing the ramp over and under existing interstate roadways in a highly developed area of Pittsburgh's North Side. The ramp provides a much-needed connection between the southbound SR28 and southbound I-279. Prior to the project, there was no direct connection linking the southbound SR28 with the southbound I-279, impairing access from the northeast to downtown Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh International Airport. The construction of the ramp provided this missing link while reducing traffic congestion along local roadways. The team working on the project included 1307 Skelly and Loy and 1309 JMT. Skelly and Loy conducted natural resources investigations, waste site investigations, noise analyses, historic and archaeological resource studies, public involvement, and prepared the environmental document during preliminary design. Skelly and Loy also provided assistance to the project team to complete environmental activities during final design.