CRANBERRY TWP - The final ramp to the Cranberry Connector project was opened Tuesday, marking the end of nearly two years of construction on a project linking Interstate 79 directly to the state Turnpike.

The $44 million Cranberry Connector is the second largest project in the state Department of Transportation District 10's history, surpassed only recently by the $44.9 million Route 119 south widening project in Indiana County.

Improving traffic flow at the intersection of Route 19, Route 228 and Freedom Road was one of the reasons for the proposed connection.

Prior to the connector project, traffic attempting to access the Turnpike from I-79 had to travel through the busy intersection adding to its congestion.

The Cranberry Connector had opened to all traffic in November, but some traffic had to be diverted onto temporary ramps while culvert work was finished.

Officials from PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Butler County commissioners, township supervisors and other dignitaries associated with the project turned out for a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning.

"It's been a huge effort," said Allen Biehler, state secretary of transportation. "It's an improvement that has far-reaching impacts."

He said the new roadway will take traffic off Route 19 and improve the quality of life for township residents.

opened because of motorists staying on I-79 to access the intersection from the new ramps rather than exiting directly onto Route 19 from Interstate south of Cranberry Township.

Groundbreaking for the Cranberry Connector came on a soggy day in February 2002, but the concept for the project began in the 1980s. In 1989, the design consultant for the project, Gannett Fleming, Inc. of Pittsburgh began preliminary designs for the connector.

Shortfalls in funding delayed the project and even threatened to kill the project altogether in the early 1990s until the efforts of the township supervisors and county commissioners were able to get the project funded. Additional engineering work helped shave $16 million off the cost of the project and ultimately led to getting the project fully funded.

In conjunction with the Cranberry Connector Project, the state Turnpike Commission took on its own project in building the new Warrendale Mainline Toll Plaza and eliminating toll booths at Cranberry, Beaver Valley and New Castle. Both projects represented a $67.3 million investment in traffic improvements in Western Pennsylvania.

The new toll collection system converted the Gateway Toll Plaza at the stateline from a ticket system to a flat fare ticketless facility. The new Warrendale plaza has become the western terminus of the ticket system.

"Creating successful projects of this magnitude and importance is only possible through the cooperative efforts of PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Federal Highway Administration, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the Butler County Commissioners, local officials and other state and federal agencies," said

"We truly appreciate their cooperation and support, not to mention the patience and consideration of the traveling public during construction."

The Cranberry Connector is the third phase of PennDOT's overall project to improve traffic flow on Routes 19 and 228.

The second phase of the connector, the I-79/Route 228 "missing ramps" project was completed in 2001. Those new ramps provide access from Route 228 to southbound I-79 and access from northbound I-79 to Route 228.

Phase I, the seven-lane Route 228 bridge replacement project, was completed in 2000, along with improvements to Route 228 constructed through a partnership with PennDOT, Cranberry Township, Mine Safety Appliances Co., the Woodmont Corp. and Creative Real Estate Development Co.Since the Cranberry Connector opened in November, it has cut the amount of traffic on Route 19 between the Turnpike and I-79.According to PennDOT statistics, the following traffic movements have shown decreases during peak hours between 5 and 6 p.m.:Route 19 northbound turning right onto Route 228 eastbound traffic has decreased by 25 percent.Route 19 northbound through-traffic has decreased by 22 percent.Route 19 northbound turning left onto Freedom Road westbound traffic has decreased by 20 percent.Route 228 westbound turning onto Route 19 southbound traffic has decreased 20 percent.However, volumes from westbound through-traffic from Route 228 to Freedom Road Route 228 westbound traffic turning right onto northbound Route 19 did increase after the Cranberry Connector.