Date: October 5, 2010
Contact: Keith Newlin, 814.886.6121
Contact: Lisa Linden, 212.575.4545
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AWARDS NEARLY $4.5 MILLION
TO PA COMPANY TO BUILD NEW ENTRANCE ROAD
FOR THE FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL
The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a $4,455,212 contract at the Flight 93 National Memorial to New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company of New Enterprise, PA to construct a 2.3 mile road that will connect U.S. Route 30, also known as the Lincoln Highway, directly to the Ring Road, which is adjacent to the newly constructed memorial. The work, which also includes safety and sight improvements on Route 30, is expected to begin shortly and be completed by July 2011. All roadwork will be finished in time for the opening and dedication by September 11, 2011 of the memorial’s first phase, now under construction near Shanksville, PA.
"This roadwork complements current construction of the permanent memorial plaza and wall, parking area and visitor shelter near the Sacred Ground, the final resting place of the passengers and crew," said Joanne Hanley, Superintendent, National Parks of Western Pennsylvania. "The new entrance road will intersect the Ring Road currently being built around the Field of Honor adjacent to the crash site. The new road will also prevent traffic congestion on smaller county and township roads from the thousands of cars and buses each year that are expected to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial."
Gordon Felt, President, Families of Flight 93 said, “The Families of Flight 93 appreciates the continued strong support of Governor Rendell’s administration and is grateful for making this critical funding available. We are also pleased to have been able to assist the NPS in acquiring the key right-of-way that will allow this road to be constructed. This award is another important milestone on the path toward ensuring that the first phase of the Flight 93 National Memorial is dedicated and ready for visitors by September 11, 2011.”
The entrance road roughly follows the alignment of the PBS Coals company’s former “haul road” south to the memorial. Funding was provided through the generosity of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), using Federal Highway Administration funds. The initial road design was completed by PennDOT in cooperation with the NPS. Landscaping, revegetation, signage and pullouts along the entrance road are additional elements that are not part of this contract but will also be completed in time for the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
About the Flight 93 National Memorial
On Sept. 24, 2002, Congress passed the Flight 93 National Memorial Act. The Act created a new national park unit to commemorate the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who, on September 11, 2001, courageously gave their lives thereby thwarting a planned attack on our nation’s capital. The memorial is near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed with the loss of its 40 passengers and crew.
