A project that improved a 7-mi. stretch of the original Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) in Somerset County has been recognized with an engineering award.
The PA Turnpike, along with the project's construction manager and inspection team SAI Consulting Engineers Inc., construction contractor New Enterprise Stone & Lime and designer AECOM, was awarded the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) Pittsburgh Section, 2025 Outstanding Highway Engineering Award for Projects more than $30 million, for their work on the Milepost 102-109 reconstruction and widening project.
The $135 million project, paid for with toll dollars as part of the PA Turnpike's capital plan, opened three travel lanes in each direction in 2024. The work included moving 2.7 million cu. yds. of dirt in the mountainous terrain, installing several stormwater controls, including basins and rain gardens, plus building three retaining walls.
"We are honored to be recognized for the great work done on this project to bring a safer and more efficient highway to our customers," said Brad Heigel, chief engineer of the PA Turnpike. "We are proud to continue modernizing America's first superhighway to meet the needs of everyone who travels our roadway every day."
The ASHE Awards recognize the outstanding work completed by its members each year and scores submissions based on such things as the complexity of the project, safety, innovation, aesthetics and sustainable features.
"It feels good to know this project has been recognized for the outstanding work the PA Turnpike team and our contractors have done," said John Dzurko, senior engineer project manager. "We had a good team working together with a mission to make this stretch of highway wider, straighter and safer, and I'm proud of the team that brought this project to life."
The project was part of the ongoing statewide total reconstruction of the PA Turnpike, which has rebuilt 174 mi. of the highway so far to modern standards, including widening of the roadway from four-lanes to six-lanes. The effort contributes to the safety and mobility of the roadway and improves the travel experience for customers.
For more information, visit paturnpike.com.
