If you have additional photos of information, please feel free to e-mail me.
| The only section
of Pittsburgh's Southern Beltway under construction is a six mile segment
that runs from PA 60 & Pittsburgh International Airport to US 22 near
Bavington. Known as the "Findlay Connector", the new toll highway
will have four exits: PA 60/Airport, US 30, Bald Knob Road, and US 22.
Construction began in November of 2003; and with great fanfare, the new
toll road opened on October 11, 2006.
If you have additional photos of information, please feel free to e-mail me. |
|
| Exit 1 - Airport / PA 60 | ||
| The current Airport Interchange (Exit 6) on PA 60 is where the western terminus of PA TPK 576/Southern Beltway will be. The current interchange is in the process of being expanded to include a trumpet interchange between PA 60 and PA TPK 576 along with direct connections to Pittsburgh International Airport. | ||
 |
Left Image: Right after
the US 30 offramp (Exit 2), westbound drivers will come across this overhead
diagramical guide sign explaining the movements for Exit 1. Traffic
heading to the Airport and for PA 60 South towards Pittsburgh will use
the same exit ram and then there will be another split between airport
and PA 60 traffic. Traffic wanting to go north of PA 60 towards Beaver
and New Castle will stay straight crossing over PA 60 before looping down
to the highway. (Photo by Ed Szuba, July 2006)
Right Image: A guide directing traffic for PA TPK 576 and the Airport to use PA 60 South. (Photo by Ed Szuba, July 2006) |
 |
 |
Left Image: Looking
at the beginning of PA Turnpike 576 East from Exit 1. (Photo by William
Lawson, December 24, 2006)
Right Image: From the median at Exit 2, a look at the highway and the overhead directional signage for Exit 1. (Photo by Jeff Kitsko, October 7, 2006). |
 |
| Exit 2 - US 30 | ||
| The interchange with the Lincoln Highway (US 30) is a traditional diamond interchange. Toll booths are on the onramp from US 30 to PA TPK 576 West (Airport) and the offramp from PA TPK 576 East to US 30. The setup for the US 30 is typical to other diamond interchanges on the Turnpike extensions. (PA TPK 43, 60, and 66) | ||
 |
Left Image: Toll
booths on the onramp to PA TPK 576 West from US 30. There will be
three total lanes with one dedicated EZPass lane. The other two lanes
will accept cash but will be unmanned. All three lanes will be able
to accept EZPass. (Photo by Ed Szuba, July 2006)
Right Image: The toll booths that are located on the offramp from PA TPK 576 East to US 30. The configuration for the offramp booths will be the same as the onramp booths. (Photo by Ed Szuba, July 2006) |
 |
 |
Left Image: Looking
from US 30 East at the overpass carrying the Southern Beltway and the unopened
interchange. (Photo by Ed Szuba, July 2006)
Right Image: A wider shot of the interchange and overpass from US 30 East. The photo shows how rural the area that surrounds the airport and new freeway is. The uncovered sign shows the design of the PA Turnpike 576 shield. The shield matches the same specifications for PA TPK 43 and 66. |
 |
 |
Left Image: A closer
view of the PA Turnpike 576 shield. (Photo by Ed Szuba, July 2006)
Right Image: US 30 shields at the end of the PA TPK 576 East offramp. (Photo by Ed Szuba, July 2006) |
 |
 |
Left Image: A look
across PA TPK 576 East to the Exit 2 guide sign on PA TPK 576 West.
(Photo by William Lawson, December 24, 2006)
Right Image: From the median at Exit 2, a look down PA Turnpike 576 East. (Photo by Jeff Kitsko, October 7, 2006) |
 |
| Exit 4 - Bald Knob Road |
| Exit 4 for Bald Knob Road will also be a diamond interchange. The toll booths will be located on the eastbound offramp and the westbound onramp. There are no photos of this interchange available at this time. |
| Exit 6 - US 22 | ||
| The terminus for the Findlay Connector and what will be the current "eastern" terminus of PA TPK 576/Southern Beltway will be at US 22 near Bavington. The interchange set up for this freeway to freeway connection will be unique, and also a first for the PA Turnpike System. The interchange will be a three level interchange with US 22, the interchange ramps, and PA TPK 576 occupying its own specific level. The off and onramp system will consist of grade intersections controlled by signals. A good illustration of this type of interchange can be found here. | ||
 |
Left Image: A look
at the partially completed Exit 6 and grading for the future extension
of PA Turnpike 576. (Photo by William Lawson, December 24, 2006)
Right Image: Concrete barriers shift traffic onto the Exit 6 offramp to a toll barrier and the remainder of the interchange. (Photo by William Lawson, December 24, 2006) |
|
 |
Left Image: Unmarked
and unused travel lanes for PA TPK 576 East sit in the foreground while
the unmanned toll barrier is in the background. (Photo by William Lawson,
December 24, 2006)
Right Image: Overhead guide signs at one of the ramps of the complex interchange. (Photo by William Lawson, December 24, 2007) |
|
Sources & Links:
Page Created: July 23, 2006
Last Updated: April 16, 2007
© 2006-07 William Lawson
