Design Update
Stay up to date on the latest updates from our design activities.
Summer 2026 Update
As part of ongoing environmental and engineering studies for the Allegheny Mountain Realignment Project, you may see field crews working in and around the study area over the coming months.
What Property Owners Should Expect
- Field staff will carry identification and wear construction vests.
- Minimal disturbance. Small soil collection will be completed as required.
- Temporary equipment such as sound recording devises, cameras, and marking tape and flags may be placed at this time.
- No construction activities are taking place, only core drilling and field studies/surveys.
Above Ground Historic Resource Survey
- Purpose: To identify structures that are 45 years and older to evaluate their historic significance. Staff collected information on structure types and approximate date of construction.
- Summer Update: This field work was completed in April.
Archaeology Field Studies
- Purpose: A team of four will identify the presence of sites with archeological importance within the project area.
- Activities:
- Walking survey, surface condition review, metal detection, hand excavation up to three feet, and soil screening
- The team will use cameras, handheld GPS units, handheld soil probe tools, metal detectors, shovels, and screens
- Summer Update: This work is 50 percent complete. Property owners should expect to see field crews walking the study area. Additional work will include hand-dug excavation of soils up to three feet in depth using wire mesh shaker screens, tarps, and spade shovels, as well as non-excavation investigation methods (metal detection).
Wetland & Stream Investigations
- Purpose: A team of up to four will locate and delineate the edges of wetlands and streams within the project area.
- Activities:
- Walking survey, wetland/stream boundary flagging, soil digging up to18 inches
- The team will use cameras, shovels and a soil auger
- Please note that flags may stay in place for a period of time as surveyors work behind the crews to survey the flag locations. The survey crew will remove the flags as their work progresses.
- Summer Update: This work is 80 percent complete. Property owners should expect to continue to see field crews on site through July.
Noise Monitoring
- Purpose: A crew of up to four will monitor noise levels
- Activities:
- Placement of temporary noise monitors near homes, businesses and other receptors.
- The team will use portable acoustic monitors, and equipment may remain onsite for more than 24 hours.
- Summer Update: This work is about to begin. Property owners should expect to see field crews on or adjacent to their properties monitoring existing noise levels. Noise meters may be in place for more than 24 hours.
Threatened & Endangered Species Studies
- Purpose: To study various species including bats and the Allegheny Woodrat
- Activities:
- Up to six people could be conducting this work depending on activity
- Activities include Mist netting, photography, radio telemetry, and cave mapping. Some night work may be included as part of this study.
- If night work is required, the project team will notify property owners ahead of time that there will be studies performed at night.
- Summer Update: This work is 50 percent complete. Property owners should expect to continue to see field crews on site through July. Additional information regarding these studies is available in this blog post.
Community Facilities and Environmental Documentation
- Purpose: To identify community facilities and services within the project area
- Activities: A team of two will conduct windshield surveys and environmental data collection
- Summer Update: This work is planned for later this summer. Property owners should expect to see field crews, viewing and cataloging public use properties such as schools, libraries, hospitals, clinics, and emergency services (fire, police, EMS). Places of worship, parks, government, and civic buildings.
Geotechnical Drilling
- Purpose: To bore holes into the ground to collect soil and rock samples
- Activities:
- A team of up to three per track drill rig that will include geologists conducting soil and rock sampling
- Equipment being used includes track drill rigs, a water truck, backhoe or dozer for access and clearing or grubbing, storage for core boxes, and personal vehicles for crew and field geologists
- Summer Update: This work is 50 percent complete. Properties owners should expect to see this work continue through the summer and into the fall.
Water Resources
- Purpose: A water quality monitoring plan is being developed to address concerns raised by the public, elected officials and project stakeholders. The program will include pre-construction, construction, and post-construction monitoring. Coordination with property owners and stakeholders within the project vicinity is expected to begin this summer.
- Activities: A team of up to two people will survey the area identifying, sampling and cataloging water sources.
- Summer Update: The monitoring plan is under development, and field work is anticipated to occur late summer.
Construction Management Services
- During the July 7, 2026, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Meeting, the Commissioners selected TRC Engineers, Inc. to provide Construction Management services for the Allegheny Mountain Realignment Project, providing construction expertise throughout the design process to identify potential challenges and develop a safer, more feasible and constructable design.
- Adding construction management services during the design phase, which has been done with other PA Turnpike projects, does not move construction closer or change the project's timeline.