Comprehensive Meeting List

ACTIVITY

DATE

PURPOSE

March 13, 2002

Members participated in a line-drawing exercise to help the team develop preliminary alternatives. CAC members, project team members and representatives from resource agencies participated in the line-drawing exercise. Members suggested 10 alternatives, consisting of online, southern and northern alternatives. CAC members recommended that further traffic studies be conducted in the western section of the corridor to Route 19 and Interstate 79, in addition to Route 228 to the east.

Mars Youth Home (MYH)

March 28, 2002

Discussed the project scope and gathered information regarding operations.

CAC Meeting #4

June 11, 2002

Members were shown the alternatives they had developed at the previous meeting, which had been refined by the team to better meet design criteria and minimize impacts. Fourteen alternatives were presented, 10 of which originated from the CAC workshop. The CAC accepted all modifications to the alternatives as presented. CAC members also felt it was important to have cost estimates on each alternative, the suggested elevated roadway through the school area.

CAC Meeting #5

July 11, 2002

Members reviewed engineering modifications, cut and fill/lines and environmental impacts. There were 15 preliminary alternatives reviewed: three to the north of Route 228, six on or close to existing Route 228 and six to the south of Route 228. Two of the southern alignments cross into Allegheny County. As a result, the project study area was expanded to include these areas, however, these alternatives will need to be evaluated further to ensure that the meet the Project Needs. This change also requires the addition of CAC members from municipalities now impacted. All agreed. CAC members reviewed public meeting plans and suggested additional information to be included on the environmental impact matrix that would be presented at the upcoming public meeting.

Cranberry Township Officials

July 22, 2002

Provided township with an update on the project. Cranberry Township expressed that the project should not end at I-79. PennDOT investigates Western Termini.

Pine Township Officials

July 22, 2002

Introduced the project, requested CAC input, and explained that the project studies now include Pine Township.

Marshall Township Officials

July 22, 2002

Introduced the project, requested CAC input, and explained that the project studies now include Pine Township.

Richland Township Officials

July 22, 2002

Introduced the project, requested CAC input, and explained that the project studies now include Pine Township.

Pine Township Officials

August 5, 2002

Present the project to the township council. Supervisors requested that we eliminate the southern alternatives in Allegheny County.

August 8, 2002

Eighteen preliminary alternatives were presented for comment, as well as information regarding traffic studies, right-of-way, project development process and community involvement efforts. Approximately 390 people attended this meeting. The following is a list of the important information learned at this meeting through discussions with the public and a comment form that was distributed: 84% felt the project team had considered a significant number of preliminary alternatives, 69% favored online alternatives to be carried into detailed studies, 22% favored northern options, 9% favored southern options. As a result of the meeting, an opposition was organized against off alignment options in the east. After the meeting, petitions and pre-written form letters were received by PennDOT that opposed the red and blue alternatives in the Eastern section along Route 8.

CAC Meeting #6

September 30, 2002

The project team explained the project development process, how the 18 preliminary alternatives were developed and how to use the environmental matrix. Members were asked to complete the CAC goals on the environmental impact matrix. The CAC agreed to add new members based on the expanded project area. Dolly Weinzetl was nominated as the CAC liaison with the Families United to Maintain our Existing Serenity (FUMES) Group. FUMES formed to provide more insight to the Eastern area residents impacted by offline alignments.

Catholic Diocese

October 31, 2002

Received information regarding the church and school that is being built at Route 228 and Franklin Road.

Catholic Diocese

November 12, 2002

Received updated information on the church and school that is being built at Route 228 and Franklin Road.

FUMES

November 13, 2002

Presented an update on the project and explained the environmental process in detail. The group expressed their concerns regarding the blue and red alternatives.

November 18, 2002

The public was informed that several new alignment alternatives would not be carried forward due to their impacts. Alternatives being carried forward consisted of: Online 1 through 4, South 3 to South 2-6, area at and east of Rout 8, South 1 at and east of Route 8, North 3 immediately west and east of Route 8. Please note that a connection to the online alternatives will be added. This link will run parallel to and west of Route 8, connecting to an online alternative, South 5 at the western terminus of the project, from online at Seven Fields to the Turnpike Connector, and Route 8. Please see the Environmental Assessment Map of Alternatives. The public was given an update on engineering and environmental studies and asked to comment on those alternatives being carried forward. Approximately 810 people attended the meeting. During the meeting, an electronic survey was administered and comment forms were distributed in order to solicit feedback from all attendees on the alternatives not being carried forward into detailed studies. Although there was concern with the alternatives not being carried forward, no new alternatives were suggested by the public. Many individuals were in favor of improving Route 8, which is being studied. There were also comments received that were in favor of widening Route 228 and dropping all other alternatives. This option is also being studied. In addition to the comment forms submitted, petitions and pre-written form letters were again submitted to PennDOT that opposed the red, blue and brown alternatives in the east.

FUMES

December 10, 2002

Presented an update on the project and explained that more detailed traffic and environmental studies must be conducted before decisions are made. The group expressed their concerns regarding the blue and red alternatives. PennDOT suggested the formation of an Eastern Sub-Committee that would meet as needed.

Catholic Diocese

February 4, 2003

Received updated information regarding the church and school expansion plans.

Cranberry Township Officials

February 6, 2003

Gathered information and concerns of the Township as they relate to future developments. The developments include:

• An open-air mall in northeast quadrant between I-79 and Route 228;
• A church that is being constructed at Route 228 and Franklin Road;
• A Marriott Convention Center on the south side of Route 228.

Simon Property Group

February 6, 2003

Obtained information regarding issues surrounding the development of the mall.

ACTIVITY

DATE

PURPOSE

CAC Meeting #7

June 3, 2003

Members were presented with a project update, updated mapping, traffic studies done to date and the environmental process. Members also participated in a debriefing session regarding the Public Meeting #3. Suggestions were made on how to handle the large crowd at future public meetings in anticipation of Public Meeting #4.

Eastern Termini Sub-Committee

July 7, 2003

Discussed the alternatives in this area of the project and the concerns of the stakeholders affected by the alternatives.

School Area Sub-Committee

July 8, 2003

Discussed the alternatives in this area of the project and the concerns of the stakeholders affected by the alternatives.

Western Termini Sub-Committee

July 8, 2003

Discussed the alternatives in this area of the project and the concerns of the stakeholders affected by the alternatives.

Land Use Meeting #1

August 18, 2003

Focused on the feasibility of a corridor wide working group to target land use.

Land Use Meeting #2

August 27, 2003

Focused on the feasibility of a corridor wide working group to target land use.

Land Use Meeting #3

September 17, 2003

Developed partnering agreement.

Land Use Meeting #4

October 1, 2003

Revised partnering agreement and discussed the scope tasks.

Land Use Meeting #5

October 14, 2003

KCI Technologies presented the scope of work.

CAC Meeting #8

October 14, 2003

Engineering and environmental updates on detailed studies were presented in anticipation of a public meeting. The team requested input on continuing studies on the existing alignment for the most part with offline options in the west, east and school area. An update was also provided on the Land Use Task Force that was established to work in conjunction with this project. Upcoming community involvement activities were also presented. Detailed engineering plans were presented to the group. CAC members did not like some of the engineering options presented and felt that the general public would not either. Members were not in favor of the median barrier, jughandles or controlled access. The group agreed to collect public comments at the public meeting and reevaluate.

Mars Youth Home (MYH)

November 5, 2003

MYH requested a meeting to focus on the school area options. The home is not in favor of the online option. Discussed the importance of the school to other communities. Reviewed the land area owned by the home.

Seven Fields Public Officials

November 5, 2003

Discussed the details of the alternatives being studied. Discussed the borough’s concerns with alternatives. The key concern with seven fields’ area access locations, pedestrian crossings and new developments.

Cranberry Public Officials

November 5, 2003

Conducted a briefing prior to the Open House Public Meeting to present alternatives studied in detailed study. Cranberry is very interested in the options in the Cranberry Mall area.

November 5, 2003

The project team informed the public that the purple, blue and brown-red alternative segments would not be studied further. PennDOT also gathered public input on the green and yellow alternatives at the eastern terminus of the project; the yellow, black and blue alternatives in the school area; a new collector road system at the Cranberry Commons Mall area and a new interchange and one-way pair system at the Route 19 and Route 228 interchange, which is at the western terminus of the project. The team proposed upgrading Route 228 in all other areas with jughandle turnarounds and a median barrier system throughout the corridor. The information presented at the open house was also available via a virtual public meeting on the project website, as well as an online comment form. Approximately 280 people attended the meeting and 440 registered at the virtual meeting. The information learned at this meeting through discussions and comment forms show that: most (78%) prefer the yellow alternative over the green at the eastern terminus, most (55%) do not see a need to change, add or remove jughandle locations, most comments favor the proposed engineering designs from Route 19 to Franklin Road. Opinions varied based on impacts on preference of alternatives in the school area.

Land Use Meeting #6

November 26, 2003

KCI responded to questions on the scope of work. There were discussions on traffic forecasts and the budget related to who is responsible for which tasks (i.e. SPC, PennDOT, municipalities). The scope requested by the group is 130% over.

Cranberry Commons Mall Meeting

December 4, 2003

Met with managers of businesses in the area that would be affected by the proposed alternatives in the Cranberry Commons Mall area. The meeting wasn’t well attended so follow up meetings with major developers were scheduled.

Route 19 Business Owners’ Meeting

December 4, 2003

Met with managers of businesses in the area that would be affected by the proposed alternatives on Route 19 to discuss their concerns, as engineering continues on the alternatives. All agreed traffic is a major concern but the alternatives would drastically impact business and access in the corridor.

Mars Trailer Park – Mr. Geyer

December 4, 2003

Discussed the owner of the mobile home court’s opinion of the alternatives in the school area. Owner is in favor of the black online alternative.

Mars School District

December 18, 2003

Provided project update and obtained information about the expansion plans for the School District.

John Quincy Adams

January 20, 2004

Provided an update on the project. Discussed the groups’ opinion on the alternatives. The group favors the Blue northern alternative in school area.

Cranberry Township

February 2, 2004

Continued discussions regarding the western terminus of the Route 228 Improvement Project, per Cranberry Township’s request for the meeting. Cranberry likes one-way pair option for Routes 19 and 228.

Mars Trailer Park – Mr. Geyer

February 2, 2004

Updated the owners of the mobile home court on the progress of the development of alternatives and receive their input on the potential alternatives in their area.

Simon Property Group

February 20, 2004

Obtained input on the alternatives being developed in the area of Cranberry Commons Mall.

Mine Safety Appliances

March 1, 2004

Obtained input on the alternatives being developed in the area of Cranberry Commons Mall.

Cranberry Township Officials

March 1, 2004

Obtained input on the alternatives being developed in the area of Cranberry Commons Mall.

Simon Development

March 2, 2004

Obtained input on the alternatives being developed in the area of Cranberry Commons Mall. Preferred the Frontage Road alternative.

Creative Real Estate Development (CREDCO)

March 2, 2004

Presented information on the alternatives being developed in the area of Cranberry Commons Mall. CREDCO is the primary owner of CCM. Traffic circulation is critical for them. No alternative preference was required.

Petrarca Development

March 3, 2004

Discussed their plans for the development of the KOA property. Preferred the Frontage Road alternative.

Cranberry Township

March 17, 2004

Presented an update on the alternatives being developed, and gained input and consensus on Cranberry Commons approach by April 2004. Preferred Frontage Road alternative.

Dollar Bank

March 17, 2004

Presented an update on the alternatives being developed, and gained input and consensus on Cranberry Commons approach by April 2004. No preference on alternative.

7-Eleven Food Store

March 17, 2004

Presented an update on the alternatives being developed near the 7-Eleven Food Store and gathered input. No preference on alternative.

Jerry’s Car Wash

March 17, 2004

Presented an update on the alternatives being developed near Jerry’s Car Wash in Cranberry and gathered input.

Marriott

March 17, 2004

Presented an update on the alternatives being developed, and gained input and consensus on Cranberry Commons approach by April 2004. Preferred the one-way pair alternative.

Cranberry Area Transit Study

April 8, 2004

SPC and Cranberry conducted a study to analyze transit service in Cranberry and the region. Discussed the status of the transit plan and the corridor plan. The group will look to PennDOT and 228 team for suggestions on Park ‘n Ride locations, etc.

Land Use Meeting #7

April 29, 2004

Announced that the project is being reevaluated. Discussed Townships letter stating they have no resources for joint land use planning. The group agreed to scale back scope.

Land Use Meeting #8

June 7, 2004

Meeting with SPC to discuss and confirm land use scope revisions.

Cranberry Area Transit Study

June 10, 2004

Discussed transit service in Cranberry. Discussed the needs of the Cranberry Area Transit Study. Discussed process of screening alternatives in two stages.

Cranberry Area Transit Study

July 27, 2004

Discussed transit service in Cranberry. Reviewed the screening process for the long list of alternatives and gained consensus on a short list of options to be studied in detail.

ACTIVITY

DATE

PURPOSE

Land Use Meeting #9

September 1, 2004

Announced results of reevaluation, presented scope of work with heavy emphasis on access management and the need agreements with each municipality.

Public Officials

September 15, 2004

Presented an update on the project’s reevaluation.

CAC Meeting #9

September 15, 2004

In early 2004, the Route 228 Project was reevaluated for cost effectiveness and community context. The reevaluation approach was presented to the CAC in fall 2004. As part of the reevaluation process, the project team developed the following performance measures that were used to evaluate various options: Meet project needs, Reduce project costs, Integrate land use planning, Enhance quality of life, and Integrate other modes of transportation. Elements that help to meet these performance measures were described and include: traditional intersections, using as much of the existing alignment of Route 228 as possible, managing access to Route 228, and use a boulevard concept to maintain integrity of the region.

Cranberry Area Transit Study

September 16, 2004

Discussed transit service in Cranberry. Discussed the screening of alternatives, Regional Routes, Regional Express Routes, and Regional Connector Routes, Study Area Routes, Local Routes.

Middlesex Township

October 26, 2004

Gathered current and projected land use plans from Middlesex Township.

CAC Meeting #10 / School Area Sub-Committee

April 28, 2005

Results of the environmental impacts in school area were confirmed in spring 2005. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss this detailed information with the CAC and the School Area Sub-Committee. In an effort to provide a forum for more feedback to the CAC, members of the School Area Sub-Committee were given an opportunity to provide comments on the information presented. At this meeting, PennDOT requested input on discontinuing studies on the Northern Alternative (Blue) and the Southern 2 Alternative (Yellow). Public input was also gathered on the remaining two alternatives, the Online Alternative (Yellow-Black) and the Southern 1 Alternative (Yellow-Aqua-Black). CAC members in attendance agreed with discontinuing studies on the Northern Alignment.

Butler County

June 20, 2005

Presented the two remaining alternatives in the school area and gathered feedback on how to improve both.

Mars Area School Board

June 21, 2005

Presented the two remaining alternatives in the school area and gathered feedback on how to improve both.

Adams Township

July 13, 2005

Presented the two remaining alternatives in the school area and gathered feedback on how to improve both. Adams Township supports online option.

Mars Area School Board

August 5, 2005

Discussed the Online Alternative and the Southern Alternative and gathered feedback. After the meeting the school board announced support for online option. There was disagreement among CAC members and subcommittee members on the benefits of the Southern versus Online alignments. The team requested comments on how to improve both alternatives so a recommendation on a preferred alignment could be noted.

Land Use Meeting #10

October 24, 2005

Discussed access points, traffic signal locations, pedestrian and bicycle access, and potential park and ride / vanpool / carpool locations with each municipality.

Land Use Meeting #11

December 5,
2005

Reviewed updated composite constraints and opportunities mapping, continued discussions from October's meeting, and conducted a visioning survey to assist in developing a shared vision for the corridor.

Seven Fields Meeting

January 10, 2006

Meet to discuss signal locations, pedestrian access and the overall status of the project.

Adams Township Meeting

January 10, 2006

Meet to discuss signal locations, pedestrian access and the overall status of the project.

Mars Area School Board

January 10, 2006

Updated and educated the new school board members on the Route 228 Project.

CAC #11

April 26, 2007

Present the Recommended Preferred Alternative and receive comments from the CAC.

Land Use Meeting # 12

May 1, 2007

Agreed on the Land Use Task Force Vision and discussed access points.

Public Hearing

June 7, 2007

Presented project details and collected written and verbal public testimony.