I-376 name expected to help Lawrence Co.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County will be in a better position to attract development money because of the renaming of Pa. Route 60 as Interstate 376, county commissioners said.

They attended the official ceremony last week that renames the road. It was formerly known by several names between Mercer County and Pittsburgh.

The road was called Pa. Route 60 through Mercer and Lawrence counties, then became U.S. Route 22/30 in Robinson Township, and as it headed southward, I-79, I-279 and I-376 or Parkway East in downtown Pittsburgh.

Commissioner Steve Craig noted that Lawrence County now has five interstate exits and said during Tuesday’s meeting, “I think this will help our development efforts considerably.”

Commissioner Dan Vogler said work remains to be done at the U.S. Route 422 intersection with Pa. Route 60, where two lanes narrow to one for a short distance, which does not meet interstate standards.

In addition, work is needed at the West Middlesex exit off Pa. Route 60. He said, however, that the new signs will go up before all the work is completed.