Allegheny Mountain Realignment - News

Geotechnical Investigations & Surveys

• Conducted detailed underground investigations by drilling into the ground to collect soil and rock samples to analyze subsurface conditions.
• Completed coordination and drilling inspection services for over 55 boreholes, with a combined depth of over 10,000 feet.
• Marked 45 landslide monitoring monuments within the Ancient Slide area to delineate and quantify movement of the slope during the design.
• Began affirming property lines and re-established the Turnpike roadway centerline at both ends of the project.
• Located property evidence on the western half of the project.
• Located right of way and alignment reference property monuments.
• Continued survey of impacted streams for structure and relocation designs.
  

Environmental

• Began more detailed studies on wetlands, wildlife, farmlands, and historic resources.
• Continued coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the PA Game Commission, the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the PA Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) process in the assessment of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species.
• Began the development of a Noise Monitoring Plan.
• Started the re-evaluation and update process for the project’s environmental document, which was previously completed in 2021.
  

Communications & Outreach

• The Project Team continues to communicate with property owners adjacent to the Turnpike. These property owners received formal notification letters whenever there was fieldwork on their property.
• Project update e-newsletters were sent in March and October to all those who have joined the mailing list. These included fieldwork updates and links to the website with information on frequently asked questions. 

Preliminary design is currently underway and includes detailed engineering and environmental fieldwork of the alternative currently under investigation. The goal of these studies is to collect data in an effort to minimize impacts to properties and the environment. Fieldwork began in March 2025. 

Property owners adjacent to the Turnpike received formal notification letters regarding upcoming fieldwork in the project corridor to the south of the existing tunnel. The initial work will begin in the PA Turnpike’s right of way. Field crews will then begin work required on private properties. Before entering private property, owners will be contacted and informed of the work plan.

The fieldwork includes: 

• Surveyors are affirming property lines, marking core boring locations, marking geotechnical monitoring locations, and providing stakeout for the alignment under investigation.  
• Geotechnical engineers are conducting rock and soil testing throughout the project area.
• Environmental specialists have begun collecting additional field data and advancing the design investigations. These efforts include delineating wetlands and streams, performing archaeology work and collecting data to complete the biological assessment related to threatened and endangered species. 

Project updates will also be provided through this web page and by email. This will provide an opportunity for property owners and stakeholders to learn more about the design activities underway and what to expect moving forward.

To access Archived Study Phase Documentation, click here.