November 2026
PA Turnpike opens new stretch of highway
It’s always a special day when America’s First Superhighway expands. Officials recently celebrated the upcoming opening of the next stretch of the Mon/Fayette Expressway as part of the ongoing mission to improve connectivity and boost economic development in the Pittsburgh region.
PA Turnpike employees in service plazas help boost customer service
A new program periodically stations PA Turnpike employees at service plazas to answer travelers’ questions and to help make each trip an even better experience.
PA Turnpike opens new stretch of highway
It’s always a cause for celebration when America’s First Superhighway expands, and this latest stretch of highway is sure to improve connectivity and boost economic development in the Pittsburgh region.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission recently celebrated the upcoming opening of the first two sections of the southern half of the Mon/Fayette Expressway PA Route 51 to I-376 Project Tuesday with local and state leaders.
A new section of the Mon/Fayette Expressway is set to open to traffic Nov. 20. Nearly five miles long, it will further connect the Pittsburgh region and boost economic development.
Construction crews are putting the finishing touches on the sections known as 53A1 and 53A2, which will open to traffic Nov. 20, expanding the current 54-mile expressway nearly five miles north from the existing northern terminus of the Mon/Fayette Expressway (PA Turnpike 43) at the PA Route 51 interchange to Camp Hollow Road in West Mifflin.
“Today, we’re not only fulfilling a long-standing commitment to the Mon Valley, but we’re also investing in the region’s ability to compete for businesses, jobs and the kinds of growth that are critical to Pennsylvania’s future,” PennDOT Secretary and PA Turnpike Commission Chair Mike Carroll said at the Oct. 27 celebratory event.
It was a massive project, to say the least. Construction on the two new sections, which began in 2023, required the excavation of more than seven million cubic yards of earth before the construction of 11 bridges through the rugged, hilly terrain. The new sections include a cashless tolling point, interchanges with Jefferson Boulevard and Camp Hollow Road, and roundabouts connecting Camp Hollow Road through the interchange. The addition of a new emergency access gate from State Route 885 to the new highway will allow emergency crews to arrive at the Allegheny Health Network Jefferson Hospital at least six minutes faster than using the next exit.
PA Turnpike officials and elected officials celebrated the new stretch of the Mon/Fayette Expressway Oct. 27.
“These new miles will provide more choices for drivers, better connections to jobs and businesses, improved access for emergency responders and new opportunities for communities throughout the region,” said PA Turnpike Commission CEO Mark Compton.
Construction on the Mon/Fayette began in 1988, with the current 54-mile route completed in 2012. When construction of both the southern and northern sections of the PA Route 51 to I-376 Project is complete, the Mon/Fayette Expressway will allow traffic to travel 68 miles from Interstate 68 near Morgantown, West Virginia, to Interstate 376 in Monroeville. The PA 51 to I-376 corridor is expected to generate nearly $2.8 billion for the economy across the Mon Valley.
Stormwater management is a key component of the Mon/Fayette Expressway expansion, with 11 stormwater management basins incorporated into two new sections of roadway, helping to protect local waterways, improve water quality and reduce the environmental impact of roadway construction, requiring years of planning and remarkable engineering.
“These accomplishments reflect the expertise, dedication and hard work of our engineering teams, contractors and skilled Pennsylvania workers who helped bring this roadway to life,” said Brad Heigel, Chief Engineer for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Construction of the next section, 53B1A, is already underway, extending from Camp Hollow Road to McKeesport Boulevard. The PA Turnpike has also recently allocated funding to replace the SR 837 bridge over the Union Railroad in Duquesne (Section 53C3), providing a new, safe and reliable crossing that is designed to support the anticipated traffic of the future Mon/Fayette Expressway.
Find more photos, a video of the press conference, and more comments from PA Turnpike and elected officials here.
A friendly face and a green keystone: PA Turnpike employees in service plazas help boost customer service
When you stop by a Pennsylvania Turnpike service plaza, you’ll spot something new somewhere between Starbucks and Roy Rogers.
That’s where you can find a friendly person wearing a green, keystone logo. It’s the new Service Plaza Representative Program, which launched in October.
“It gives more representation of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at our service plazas,” said Service Plaza Operations Manager Michelle Lawyer, who spearheaded the program. “I think it’s a great opportunity, and it shows people we’re here.”
Service plazas are often the only direct connection travelers have to the PA Turnpike, so having someone there who can answer their questions and address their concerns is just good customer service, she added.
More than 70% of PA Turnpike customers in recent surveys ranked their experience as excellent or very good, and that can be attributed to the Service Plaza Representative Program team, pictured here.
Members of the Service Plaza Representative team include (front row, from left) Tony Storino, Michelle Lawyer, Rich Hoak, (back row, from left) Alan McMullen, Eric Paul, and Karen Moser.
Rich Hoak, who has worked with the PA Turnpike’s service plazas for 28 years, has seen a lot of changes over the years. He said this is a program that really helps create a personal connection with travelers.
“You never know what someone is going through, but seeing a smiling, friendly face and having a friendly exchange always helps,” Hoak said. “I’ve had a lot of positive exchanges.”
He’s helped customers who have never been on a toll road before navigate their way through the experience, and he’s traded tales with travelers who have been using the PA Turnpike for 50 years.
And Eric Paul, who is covering several service plazas in eastern Pennsylvania, said it’s a great way to be a smiling, welcoming presence.
Service Plaza Representative Eric Paul greets travelers at the Bowmansville Service Plaza.
“I’m a people person. I enjoy interacting with the customers,” he said. “This is an awesome way to interact with them one on one.”
It’s all about customer experience.
When you see them, feel free to stop by with your PA Turnpike questions or just to say “hello.” You can always plan your trip and find a full list of service-plaza amenities here.
“Our goal is to make every stop a better one,” Lawyer added.