McKeesport, PA — U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA-14), Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, McKeesport Mayor Jim Brewster, and PennDOT District 11 Executive Dan Cessna today celebrated the start of construction on the McKeesport flyover ramp. The $10.9 million project will allow unimpeded access to the Industrial Center of McKeesport from State Route 148.  The Industrial Center of McKeesport is located on the site of the old US Steel National Tube Works.

“The revitalization of this part of the Mon Valley depends upon the redevelopment of the area’s old industrial sites like the Industrial Center of McKeesport, and the redevelopment of such sites depends on making them easily accessible,” said Doyle. “That’s why I worked for years with local community leaders like Mayor Brewster to secure the funding necessary to build a flyover ramp here.  As a result of these efforts, we are gathered here today to break ground on this much-needed infrastructure project.”

“It is essential to provide easy, continuous access to this former industrial site in order for it to continue to grow, attract business and create jobs for McKeesport and the surrounding area,” said Onorato. “Improved transportation in and around the Mon Valley has always been a critical piece of our redevelopment plans. We completed the Duquesne flyover ramp earlier this year, and we are excited to begin the McKeesport project. We are grateful to Congressman Doyle for securing the funding from the Federal Highway Administration.”

"I’ve been working with local officials like County Executive Onorato to clean up and redevelop the Industrial Center of McKeesport, but the restricted access to the site across active railroad tracks has always posed a major obstacle to the success of this initiative," Congressman Doyle added.  "The development of a flyover ramp to give unrestricted vehicular and pedestrian access to the site will greatly enhance our ongoing cooperative efforts to put this historic old site back into productive use."

The project includes construction of a ramp that will carry traffic over active CSX rail lines and connect Lysle Boulevard and Industry Road. Allegheny County facilitated the design and construction of the ramp and worked with Congressman Doyle, PennDOT, County Councilman Bob Macey, the Regional Industrial Development Corporation of Southwestern Pennsylvania (RIDC), and Mayor Brewster on the overall project.

“The development of unimpeded access to the remediated brownfield site will provide the final impetus necessary to bring new jobs and tax base back to the Mon Valley,” Mayor Brewster said.

“PennDOT is very pleased to see this significant project, enhancing safety and access, beginning construction,” said Cessna.

Construction is expected to be completed in November 2011.

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