WASHINGTON COUNTY — We are days away from big local changes in transportation, including the much-anticipated Southern Beltway. On Saturday, The State Turnpike Commission allowed residents to walk, run and even bicycle along the new toll road. The five-mile stretch from South Fayette Way to McDonald/Midway will be open to the public. A lot of people in Washington County are very excited about it since this will make it much easier to get to the airport. “I cant wait for it to open,” said Janet Yenchik of Canonsburg. “It will be great to avoid the parkway to get to the airport.” The Southern Beltway will open Friday Oct. 15, connecting I-79 to the Pittsburgh International Airport. The road project has been in the works since 2013 to help alleviate traffic on the Parkway West. Yenchik, who lives in Canonsburg, said she flies several times a year, so this new major highway will save her a lot of time driving to the airport.