Besides the recent cold snap, December has been unseasonably warm for the Pittsburgh region. That warm weather wasn't just been enjoyable for locals who wanted to get outdoors—it also gave construction crews a chance to catch up on roadwork before the heavy snow falls.

PennDOT spokesman Jim Struzzi said work has ended on major paving projects, but crews still are able to perform work on bridges, install guard rails guiderails and put up signs.

“It’s been a great December for contractors and PennDOT to get projects done by the end of the year,” Struzzi said. “It’s more construction in December than in recent memory, and that’s good because we had a very wet spring and this lets them wrap things up.”

Struzzi specifically pointed to the Wexford Flats Project along Route 19 in Pine and McCandless, which he said is on schedule to be completed next year. 

"Most certainly the Wexford Flats Project has benefited and is pushing ahead through winter months," he said. 

The $18.1 million began in January and spans 2.33 miles of Route 19 from about 300 feet north of Longvue Road to just north of North Chapel/Manor Road. About 28,000 vehicles use this section of Route 19 on an average day, according to PennDOT. 

Struzzi said the additional unexpected work during the winter doesn’t really save money, but it allows the state to move onto other projects next year that would have been pushed back.

Struzzi doesn’t expect PennDOT’s run of good fortune to continue for much longer, because the dreaded freeze-thaw season is under way. 

“The weather is always a factor in December and has been very cooperative so far,” he said. “Anyone who lives in western Pennsylvania knows that the real winter months lay ahead.”