The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's three newest highways, all in the Pittsburgh region, continue to gain popularity with the motoring public.
        Since their openings, annual traffic volumes for each of the north-south toll roads increased each calendar year through 1996. And, in virtually every instance, volumes for any given month exceeded volumes for the same month in the previous year.
        "The numbers show steady growth across the board," said Turnpike Marketing Director William J. Capone. "There are seasonal peaks and valleys, of course, but the bottom line is that more and more people are using these expressways as time goes on. A lot of drivers are trying them and liking them."
        Monthly traffic volumes have surpassed or soon will top a half million vehicles for the 17-mile Beaver Valley Expressway (Turnpike 60) between Beaver Falls and New Castle and the 13-mile Greensburg Bypass (Turnpike 66) in Westmoreland County. Both highways were assigned to the Turnpike Commission in the Turnpike Organization, Extension and Toll Road Conversion Act of 1985 (Act 61).
        Turnpike 60's opening in November 1992 closed a 17-mile gap in what is now a 55-mile corridor of divided highway between Pittsburgh International Airport and Interstate 80 near Sharon. It saw nearly six million vehicles last year, an increase of 12.4 percent over the 5.3 million vehicles that traveled the Beaver Valley Expressway in 1995. Annual traffic volume rose 27.7 percent between 1993 and 1994 and 6.7 percent between 1994 to 1995.
        The Greensburg Bypass opened in 1993 - the southern section in July and the northern section in December. It links U.S. Route 22 with the I-76 Turnpike mainline in the south and offers a safe, convenient alternative to the busy streets of downtown Greensburg.
        More than 4.7 million vehicles traveled all or part of Turnpike 66 last year, a 13.7 percent increase compared to some 4.1 million in 1995. Annual traffic volume rose 11.5 percent between 1994 and 1995.
        Monthly traffic volumes are approaching a quarter million vehicles for the six-mile Turnpike 43 near California in eastern Washington County, which connects Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 40.
        Built by the state Department of Transportation and turned over to the Turnpike Commission prior to its opening in October 1990, Turnpike 43 is an existing portion of the still mostly undeveloped Mon/Fayette Expressway between I-376 in Pittsburgh and I-68 near Morgantown, W.Va. Another of the Turnpike Commission's Act 61 assignments, it would stretch 65 miles largely through the Monongahela River Valley.
        More than 2.5 million vehicles traveled Turnpike 43 last year, a 13.3 percent increase over some 2.2 million in 1995. Annual traffic volume rose 9.8 percent between 1994 and 1995, 9.2 percent between 1993 and 1994, 20.7 percent between 1992 and 1993, and 19.1 percent between 1991 and 1992.
        Turnpike Commissioners will be awarding contracts this year for the construction of 7.6 miles of Mon/Fayette mainline and 12 bridges in Fayette County and the construction of 6.4 miles of Mon/Fayette mainline and 14 bridges in Washington County. Collectively, the work to be contracted this year is estimated at more than $200 million.
        The highest monthly traffic totals for any of the new roads are occurring between June and October. In 1996, trucks represented 11 percent of the traffic volume on Turnpike 60, 12 percent of the traffic volume on Turnpike 66 and four percent of the traffic volume on Turnpike 43.
        Job growth is occurring in each of the corridors and is expected to intensify as local governments and/or economic development organizations extend infrastructure (utilities, water, sewage) to enhance the marketability of adjacent or easily accessible properties.
        "There is no question these new expressways help attract prospective employers and developers," said Capone. "I'm sure that's what state legislators had in mind when they passed Act 61. As any business operator will tell you, you've got to spend money to make money. And if you like the open road, these highways are spectacular."
        Unlike the Beaver Valley project, which was the final piece of a transportation puzzle, Turnpike 43 and Turnpike 66 are early pieces of new puzzles that will be taking shape well into the next century. Among the other Act 61 projects is an extension of Turnpike 66 north to the Allegheny Valley Expressway (Pa. Route 28) and an extension of the Allegheny Valley Expressway northeast to Interstate 80.

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