Westmoreland autonomous vehicle test track in East Huntingdon nears completion

Autonomous vehicles could begin speeding around a $39 million test track in East Huntingdon this spring.

The project is a partnership among the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Regional Industrial Development Corp., the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. and Carnegie Mellon University.

Bringing this here is something the county is very excited about,” Westmoreland County Planning Director Jason Rigone said.

The funds will help Westmoreland County develop what is being called the Golden Hour Initiative.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, in a letter supporting the county’s request for federal funding, said there was a need to implement first responder training in Westmoreland County.