Interstate 279 represents the original "in-city" routing of Interstate 79 through
Pittsburgh.
Routing
Interstate 279 originates at the Interstate 79 and U.S. 22-30 interchange near Carnegie, then extends northeast through the vicinity of Crafton and Green Tree before entering Pittsburgh. After passing through the Fort Pitt Tunnel to bore under Mount Washington, Interstate 279 crosses the Monongahela River to enter downtown Pittsburgh. Stay left on the Fort Pitt Bridge to continue north on Interstate 279, which becomes the Parkway North upon passing the Interstate 376 interchange. Continuing across the Allegheny River, Interstate 279 continues north past Bellevue and Westview before rejoining Interstate 79 near Franklin Park.
Northbound Interstate 279/Penn-Lincoln Parkway West (and U.S. 22-30 east) enters the Fort Pitt Tunnel, which opened to traffic on September 1, 1960.5 Nearly two-thirds of a mile long (3614 feet long), the tunnel passes under Mount Washington and emerges on the Fort Pitt Bridge. Upon crossing the bridge, Interstate 276 meets Interstate 376 and enters downtown Pittsburgh, also known as the Golden Triangle. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
Interstate 279 provides metropolitan access from Interstate 79 into Pittsburgh. The Parkway West segment, which is cosigned with U.S. 22-30, is much older than the Parkway North section of Interstate 279. The Parkway North section was constructed in the mid to late 1980s while the Parkway West was constructed in the 1950s. The Fort Pitt Bridge opened in 1959 and the Fort Pitt Tunnel opened in 1960. Both elements were incorporated into the Interstate system in the 1960s.3 A roadtrip through the area in June 1989 revealed ghost ramps at the then future northern terminus.
Planned Improvements
An 11-year $200 rehabilitation project of the Parkway West alignment of Interstate 279 is now complete. The multi-year project culminated with the October 1, 2003 opening of the the two-lane ramp taking inbound Parkway West/Interstate 279 traffic to the outbound Parkway East/I-376. The final two year $84.2 million project opened two weeks ahead of schedule. Otherwise the multi-year project includes improvements to the Fort Pitt Tunnel, Fort Pitt Bridge, and other associated ramps of Interstate 279. The construction culminated with the opening of the 2,500 foot ramp that carries Interstate 279 northbound motorists from the Fort Pitt Bridge east to Interstate 376 and U.S. 22-30 east, the Penn-Lincoln Parkway East.3 The two-lane ramp crosses over Monongahela Wharf. Additionally the Stanwix Street off-ramp on Interstate 376 east opens to traffic in conjunction with the Fort Pitt Bridge ramp opening. Since 1993 various portions of Interstate 279, including the tunnel and bridge, had been closed for major road work.2
Construction plans to improve and expand the Parkway West and the Interstate 79 interchange are facing a financial crunch. The $65 million project is sought to expand the freeway from four to six lanes along a 1.5-mile stretch in the vicinity of Interstate 79. Included is the construction of two ramps missing from the original 1970s construction. The then $17 million interchange was one of the most expensive in the state at the time. To cut costs, two ramps were eliminated from the final design, based upon the assumption that traffic could use Pennsylvania 60 instead for the movements north to Pittsburgh International Airport.1
While PennDOT officials are hoping for a Spring 2006 start date for the Parkway West project, only $6 million in funds are allocated for the road work thus far. It is hoped that the construction can be added to the next phase of the four-year Transportation Improvement Plan. If this occurs, then 90% of the funding needed for the ramps will be paid for by the Federal Government. If all goes as scheduled, construction may be complete by Fall 2009.1
As for the ramps, both are currently in the final phase of the preliminary design stage. The first ramp will connect Interstate 79 south to the Parkway West westbound. The 640 foot facility will cross over Campbells Run Road. The second ramp will allow traffic on the Parkway West westbound to access Interstate 79 north. This 1,500-foot structure will either involve excavation of the nearby hillside or the implementation of a flyover ramp. Benefits to the construction of these ramps include a 35% reduction in traffic on nearby Pennsylvania 60/Steubenville Pike.1
The Fort Pitt Tunnel, which carries Interstate 279 through Mount Washington, opens up to reveal downtown Pittsburgh, with the Fort Pitt Bridge (yellow tied arch bridge) immediately carrying Interstate 279 over the Monongahela River. This picture does not do the entrance to Pittsburgh justice, but it is never tiresome to enter this famous American city with such incredible views that are all but hidden by Mount Washington and the tunnels. Just a short distance west of here, the Monongahela River flows into the Allegheny River to become the Ohio River. All through traffic for Interstate 279 north must quickly merge left; the right three lanes will all exit onto Interstate 376/Penn-Lincoln Parkway east or to various downtown city streets. Photo taken by Andy Field (11/01/04).
Future Aspirations
With the proposed extension of Interstate 376, Interstate 279 is planned to be cut back to a new southern terminus at the current Interstate 279 and Interstate 376 interchange. This shortening of Interstate 279 is likely to occur in 2008 or later, depending upon the timing of improvements required in association with the upgrade of the various freeways that will eventually come under the designation of Interstate 376.4
Perspective from Interstate 279 south/U.S. 22-30 (Future Interstate 376) west
Now traveling south on Interstate 279, the first guide signage for Interstate 79 appears just after Exit 2, Junction Pennsylvania 50 to Carnegie and before Exit 1B for Rosslyn Farms. After Exit 1A (Junction Interstate 79), Interstate 279 ends and U.S. 22-30 continue west toward Pittsburgh International Airport. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
The final reassurance shield assembly for Interstate 279 and U.S. 22-30 is posted as the freeway crosses Pennsylvania 50/Noblestown Road and Chartiers Creek. The city of Carnegie sits in the valley below. The viaduct continues across the valley until the freeway reaches the Rosslyn Farms exit. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
After crossing Carnegie and Chartiers Creek, a second guide sign advises of the final Interstate 279 south exit for Rosslyn Farms. The interchange with Interstate 79 is only three-quarters of a mile ahead. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
Southbound Interstate 279 and westbound U.S. 22-30 (Penn-Lincoln Parkway West) reach Exit 1B, Rosslyn Farms. The next exit is Exit 1A, Junction Interstate 79 north to Erie and south to Washington. The left two lanes continue through the interchange to follow U.S. 22-30 west to Moon Township and Pittsburgh International Airport. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
An END Interstate 279 shield assembly is posted just prior to the Interstate 79 exit. From here, Interstate 279 transitions directly onto U.S. 22-30 west to the airport. Photos taken by Andy Field (10/31/04) and Barb Bee (6/01).
The right two lanes depart to Interstate 79, while the left two lanes continue west as U.S. 22-30. U.S. 22 will continue west through Weirton, West Virginia, before entering the Buckeye State of Ohio, serving the cities of Steubenville and Cambridge, where it meets Interstate 70. Meanwhile, the Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) travels west to Chester, West Virginia, then crosses the Ohio River to enter East Liverpool, Ohio. U.S. 30 serves as a major east-west corridor across Ohio, carrying some freeway alignments west almost to Indiana. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
Perspective from U.S. 22-30 (Future Interstate 376) west
A set of U.S. 22-30 reassurance shield is posted after the split with Interstate 79. To the right of this picture, the Interstate 79 guide signs are visible. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
In the distance, Interstate 79 crosses over U.S. 22-30. The freeway on U.S. 22 will continue west through West Virginia into Ohio, while U.S. 30 will downgrade to a rural highway upon exiting the freeway section west of the airport. This area is planned for eventual reconstruction, so that the missing connectors at the Interstate 79 interchange are added and the cloverleaf interchange at Pennsylvania 60 is revised to allow for high speed connections for through traffic on U.S. 22-30. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
Another set of U.S. 22-30 shields is posted after incoming traffic from Interstate 79 joins the freeway. Like Interstate 279, the U.S. 22-30 freeway is only four lanes wide. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
Perspective from Pennsylvania 60 (Future Interstate 376) south
Now traveling south on Pennsylvania 60, the first signs for the interchange with Interstate 79 and Interstate 279 start to appear as we approach the cloverleaf interchange between Pennsylvania 60 and U.S. 22-30. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/28/04).
Southbound Pennsylvania 60 reaches the exit ramp to U.S. 22-30 west to Weirton. The next exit allows Pennsylvania 60 south to depart onto Steubenville Pike (old U.S. 22) east to Interstate 79 north in Kennedy Township. Continue straight ahead to follow U.S. 22-30 east to Interstate 79 south, Interstate 279 north, and downtown Pittsburgh. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/28/04).
The cloverleaf interchange between Pennsylvania 60 and U.S. 22-30 is under-powered, and traffic frequently backs up through this area. From here, the freeway shifts from Pennsylvania 60 south to U.S. 22-30 east. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/28/04).
Perspective from U.S. 22-30 (Future Interstate 376) east
Continuing east on U.S. 22-30 after the Pennsylvania 60 interchange, this is the first signage for the pending interchange with Interstate 79 and Interstate 279. The roadside sign is not easy to see through the ongoing construction and thick traffic. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/28/04).
U.S. 22-30 east approaches Exit 1, Junction Interstates 79 and 279, one-quarter mile. The left two lanes carry Interstate 279 north and U.S. 22-30 east onto the Parkway West en route to Pittsburgh, while the right lane prepares to depart to Interstate 79 south to Washington. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
Eastbound U.S. 22/30 reaches Exit 1, Junction Interstate 79 south to Washington. There is no direct connection currently to Interstate 79 north; that must be accomplished via Pennsylvania 60/Steubenville Pike. From here, Interstate 279 begins its northerly journey toward downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore. Photos taken by Andy Field (10/28/04 and 10/31/04).
After passing the split with Interstate 79 south, eastbound U.S. 22-30/Penn-Lincoln Parkway West approaches the bridge that carries Interstate 79 through this interchange. Interstate 279 begins after passing the Interstate 79 bridge. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01).
Perspective from Interstate 279 north/U.S. 22-30 (Future Interstate 376) east
The first reassurance shield for northbound Interstate 279 and eastbound U.S. 22-30 (Penn-Lincoln Parkway West) is posted in the middle of the Interstate 79 interchange. This interchange is planned to be expanded to include missing connectors. In addition, this will eventually become part of Interstate 376. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
Continuing northeast, the first exit on northbound Interstate 279 north and U.S. 22-30 east is Exit 2, Junction Pennsylvania 50/ Noblestown Road to Carnegie and Green Tree. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
This guide sign advises traffic en route to Mellon Arena, the Pittsburgh Convention Center, and North Shore Destinations to follow Interstate 279 north. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/31/04).
Northern Terminus - Interstate 79 - Franklin Park, Pennsylvania
Perspective from Interstate 279 north
An END Interstate 279 shield assembly is posted on northbound Interstate 279/Parkway North as the freeway merges onto Interstate 79 north. This marks the northern terminus of Interstate 279. Photo taken by Patrick Lilja (2006).
Shortly thereafter is the connection onto Interstate 79 north. An Interstate 79 state-named reassurance shield can be seen in the distance. This is a directional interchange, which means that there is no direct access from Interstate 279 north to Interstate 79 south. Photo taken by Barb Bee (6/01).
Just for fun, we added an abbreviation for "End Interstate 279 north" that is spray painted onto a bridge support pillar near the northern end. Photo taken by Barb Bee (6/01).
Perspective from Interstate 79 south
Approaching the split of Interstate 79/279 on Interstate 79 Southbound. The center lane is optional for both southbound Interstates. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01).
Beginning of Interstate 279 to the left on Interstate 79 Southbound. There is no access from Interstate 79 north to Interstate 279 south. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01).
Footnotes:
"Lack of money delaying construction of missing Parkway West/I-79 ramps." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 17, 2003.
"Fort Pitt Bridge ramp to Parkway East opens on Oct. 1." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 17, 2003.
"Fort Pitt ramp to Parkway East to open." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 1, 2003.
