Project History

     The Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project was first proposed in 1967 to improve access to the communities of New Stanton, Latrobe, Derry, Unity, and Mount Pleasant. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) recognized the significance of the project in 1973 when it was placed on the Long Range Transportation Plan and again in 1976 when it remained on the Plan.

     SPC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the nine-county region including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties. In 1987, SPC included the project in the regional inventory of economic development highways. The Eastern Westmoreland Development Corporation (EWDC) subsequently recommended that preliminary engineering and environmental studies begin on the project. In 1991, SPC prepared a "Footprint Study" which documented how present and potential development would benefit from the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project.

     In 1992, EWDC presented the document along with substantial public testimony to the State Transportation Commission for placement in the first four years of PENNDOT’s 12-Year Program, where it has remained for the past several years. In 1993, PENNDOT began the process of conducting the Needs Analysis, in compliance with Step 3, of PENNDOT's 10-Step Transportation Development Process. The Needs Analysis was put on hold by PENNDOT in 1995 and subsequently reactivated in 1998.

    In 1999, the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project was again programmed in the first four years of PENNDOT's 12-Year Program, and the SPC 1999-2002 Transportation Improvement Program for preliminary engineering and environmental studies.

    The primary purpose for the project is to provide improved transportation facilities in association with planned development and economic growth occurring in the study area. Household population growth for the study area is projected to continue at a moderate rate. The study area will see a 14% increase in population between 1990 and 2025. Westmoreland County will see a 13% increase and a 17% increase throughout the region during the same period. Employment trends and projections for the study area indicate a 71% increase between 1990 and 2025.