Mon Valley Land Use & Transportation

PennFuture, together with a diverse array of concerned organizations and individuals in southwestern Pennsylvania, developed the Citizens’ Plan as an alternative approach to solving the transportation needs identified by the Turnpike in their proposal for the Mon/Fayette Expressway. The Citizens’ Plan attempts to rectify the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s failure to adequately consider design alternatives as required under federal law (the National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA).

The Citizens’ Plan focuses on meeting the region’s transportation and traffic needs, revitalizing brownfields and strengthening communities in the Mon Valley. Drawing upon the conclusions of a number of published regional transportation and land use studies, the Citizens’ Plan concept calls for the re-design and enhancement of existing arterial boulevards and highways including PA 51, PA 885 and PA 837, the expansion of light rail service to the south and east of Pittsburgh, new bike trails and some new urban boulevards.

Benefits of the Citizens’ Plan include:

• Substantial investment in the deteriorated roads and infrastructure of Mon Valley communities;
• Direct connections to brownfields redevelopment sites and existing urban centers, providing better incentives for economic development;
• Balanced improvements in mobility, safety and access to Mon Valley communities;
• Better traffic management by providing commuters with more choices in reaching employment and education centers;
• Increased real estate values within established communities;
• Preservation of the region’s forests, streams, hillsides and farms; and
• Securing access to riverfronts that permits future economic development while preserving the rivers’ recreational and environmental value.

The Plan is available at http://www.pennfuture.org/campaigns_detail.aspx?CampaignID=37.