This week the State Transportation Commission approved its 12-Year Transportation Program, which included $168 million for improvements to the Route 228 corridor.

One of Butler County's busiest stretches of road will be a major point of focus for the next 12 years.

This week the State Transportation Commission approved its 12-Year Transportation Program, which included $168 million for improvements to the Route 228 corridor. The series of projects along that stretch are included in the $63.9 billion overall plan, which takes effect Oct. 1. Public input is a key component of identifying roads and projects that are most needed, officials said.

Current projects include a major overhaul of the Pittsburgh Street intersection near Mars. The nearly $8 million project began in March and is expected to take about two years to complete.

Work includes road widening and the construction of turn lanes, signal improvements, drainage upgrades and the implementation of a new box culvert.

Four other projects are in the preliminary engineering phases, with plans for funding of utility relocation, right of way acquisition and construction estimated. And a fifth project is being advanced by Cranberry Township.

Read more about the other projects in the Butler Eagle.