Cranberry starts last step in master road plan
Nearly 25 years ago, Cranberry adopted a master road plan to manage traffic in the fast-growing township at the confluence of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 79 and Route 228.
Now, construction will begin Monday on the last major piece of that plan, the $17 million MSA Thruway that will provide traffic with a direct route from I-79 to the Cranberry Woods and Cranberry Springs developments. The project, which includes a roundabout, a new road under Route 228, sidewalks and bike lanes, is designed to reduce traffic jams by keeping interstate traffic headed to those sites off of Route 228.
“Yes, this is the last step, the last big piece of the plan,” said township manager Jerry Andree.
Allegheny Excavating Inc. has a $12.05 million construction contract for the project, where paving is expected to begin at 6 a.m. Monday, weather permitting. The rest of the cost includes design and permitting.
Under the current configuration, the northbound exit ramp off I-79 empties at an intersection at
Route 228. With about 12,000 vehicles a day headed for the two developments, traffic backs up on the exit ramp and on Route 228.
This project will allow northbound traffic to exit the interstate onto a ramp that will add a new, freeflowing lane that offers two options: merge left onto eastbound Route 228 or stay right to loop along Route 228. The right lane of the loop will pass through a new portal under Route 228 to provide access to Cranberry Springs and the left lane will go into a roundabout that will take motorists to the Cranberry Woods development.
The township estimates the number of vehicles in the queue in morning rush hours will be reduced by 40% and eastbound traffic on Route 228 around the ramp intersection will be cut by 30%. Overall, time delays for motorists should be cut by about 33%.
Excavation under Route 228 is expected to begin May 16, when all traffic will be shifted to the north side of the highway to allow work under the south side. When that is done, traffic will shift to the south side for work under the north side.
The sidewalks and bike lanes will be added on the west side of the roadway from the Cranberry Springs side, through the portal and the roundabout to the Cranberry Woods side. That addition is part of the township’s overall effort to improve amenities for pedestrians and cyclists, Mr. Andree said.
Funding for the project includes a $6 million contribution from Cranberry Springs developer Sippel Enterprises, $4.5 million in grants and $3.5 million from impact fees the township charges all developers. MSA Safety also donated property for the thruway valued at about $4 million.
The thruway project, scheduled to be finished in winter 2021, marks the end of several hundred million dollars worth of township, PennDOT and turnpike projects to improve traffic in southern Butler and northern Allegheny counties around Cranberry. They include direct ramps between the turnpike and I-79; widening Route 228 and Freedom Road; retiming traffic lights at 34 intersections in Cranberry, Marshall, Adams and Seven Fields; and improving the Franklin Road intersection with Route 228 near North Catholic High School.