Castle Shannon Boulevard, from Washington Road to Scott Road, will undergo a transformation this year. PennDOT plans to resurface the road, replacing the bricks with asphalt.

Although Mt. Lebanon’s residential brick roads are historic and considered charming, neither PennDOT nor Mt. Lebanon thinks brick restoration makes sense on a state-owned road that carries more than 4,000 cars a day. As required by Pennsylvania law when changes are made in any area eligible for historic designation, PennDOT will coordinate with Mt. Lebanon on ways to mitigate any negative effect on our historic built environment, says PennDOT engineer J. Tyler Mercer.

The lion’s share of the $1.5 million project—$1.42 million—is funded by PennDOT. Mt. Lebanon will spend the remaining $80,000 on curb improvements that will bring the road into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Along with a new road surface and the ADA improvements, the project will result in improved drainage, curb and sidewalk repairs, and upgrades to traffic signals at Scott Road and Sunset Drive. The new surface will not only make the ride smoother but also less slippery when wet.

Project Manager Kelly Nulph says that drainage will be improved with the installation of additional stormwater inlets on Castle Shannon Boulevard and the side roads between Hemlock Street and Shady Drive East. Also, the improved cross slope of the reconstructed road will carry water more efficiently to the curb line, and reduce ponding on the road.

Bid opening for the project will take place in February or March. The resurfacing project is planned for summer and fall, and the traffic signal upgrades are slated to follow.