Construction Funding Secure for I-79 Ramps

PennDOT has begun engineering on the $20 million Interstate 79 (I-79) and Route 228 Ramp Improvement Project.  This project will allow motorists traveling west on Route 228 to access I-79 northbound or southbound by making right turns onto new ramps instead of the current situation which requires a left turn. These improvements will greatly enhance access and reduce signal delays at the Route 228 and I-79 ramps.  The project also includes a ramp connecting the I-79 northbound off-ramp to the Cranberry Woods Office Park.  This access point will provide motorists with more direct access to Cranberry Woods which will help reduce congestion on Route 228 while allowing a free-flow merge condition for eastbound traffic as opposed to a stop condition. Construction will begin in phases, depending on funding availability.  The goal is to begin the Cranberry Woods slip ramp phase in 2009, the northbound on ramp in 2011 and the southbound loop ramp in 2012.

Future Projects to be Developed in Phases

The vision established for the Route 228 corridor during studies for the Route 228 Improvement Project has become the master plan for future improvements which will be developed in phases as funding becomes available and programmed through the 12-Year Plan. The 9 mile total reconstruction plans, developed by PennDOT and accepted by the community, included a comprehensive engineering analysis, environmental inventory, land use study and public outreach effort. Due to statewide funding constraints and the need to focus investment on critical bridge projects, funding is not available within the southwestern Pennsylvania planning region to proceed with all of the recommended improvements for the Route 228 corridor at this time. As a result, the project has been re-defined to allow the environmental clearance, design and construction of projects along the corridor to be approached incrementally as projects are fully funded for construction. This master plan was developed working with a Community Advisory Committee of local stakeholders from across the corridor, a Land Use Task Force and the general public. 

A local advocacy group formed to help with future Route 228 projects, more information can be found at www.228update.com.

For more information on future programming please visit www.route228.com/schedule.asp.

Thanks to the Community Advisory Committee

“The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was a tremendous sounding board for us through the process. This corridor presented many challenges to the Project Team as it is located within one of the fastest growing regions in the Commonwealth,” said PennDOT District 10 Executive Joseph P. Dubovi III, P.E. “The people who volunteered their time to help us deserve the thanks.

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Community Hears Details on Mars RR Bridge Replacement

At a Public Meeting on May 14, 2009, PennDOT provided residents and public officials with an update on improvement plans for the structurally deficient Route 228 Bridge over the CSX railroad in Adams Township.  This project includes the replacement of the bridge, extension of the arch culvert which carries Breakneck Creek under Route 228 and reconstruction of approximately 4,000 ft of road, including minor improvements to the signalized intersection with Mars-Valencia Road (SR 3015).  The range of improvements allows for the future widening of Route 228 as set forth in the Route 228 Improvement Project master plan.  Due to the structural deficiency of the railroad bridge, this project will be developed on a fast track and could be under construction by 2012 or earlier if funding permits.

Click to view the Adams Railroad Bridge Replacement Project map.

   Visit the FAQ page at

    www.route228.com/faq.asp