The US Route 30 Master Plan was a three-stage, multi-phase project, over a period of years.  The three stages included:

• Getting Started – Coalition building, fundraising, visioning & program development

• Developing the Plan – Engage as many constituents as possible to fashion a sound Master Plan

• Institutionalizing the Framework for Implementation – With the Smart Growth Partnership’s assistance, us the Master Plan’s Implementation Toolkit

The intent of this planning effort was to prepare an action-oriented land use and transportation plan for US Route 30 over its entire length in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. This strategic blueprint is intended to guide the cost-effective implementation of future community and economic development initiatives. It includes a comprehensive land use and transportation management strategy for the implementation of consistent development regulations and programming capital improvements along the approximate 40-mile corridor. 

The purpose of this study was to analyze land use regulation and transportation management options to identify and implement actions to address corridor safety, efficiency and mobility. Existing and future growth in this region is tied to the safe and efficient flow of traffic along the US Route 30 Corridor. US Route 30 provides access to and from Westmoreland County communities and metropolitan Pittsburgh. As traffic volume continues to increase, gridlock may form, hinder economic prosperity, and negatively affect the high quality of life enjoyed by many residents. Opportunities to widen the highway to accommodate future traffic growth are limited. Therefore, municipalities in Westmoreland County need to identify and implement alternative methods to address traffic congestion.  

Moreover, the plan recognizes that it is imperative that the US Route 30 municipalities work together to prioritize capital transportation needs and communicate those needs to decision-makers.

John Turack speaking about this project: