CRANBERRY TWP — The developer of a large mall near the Interstate 79-Route 228 interchange has suspended its development plans, tying its pull-back to the community's trouble getting a Route 228 widening project adequately funded. The loss of the mall also means that nearly 3,000 jobs will not be created.

Simon Property Group, an Indianapolis-based development company, planned to build nearly 1 million square feet of retail shops, offices and residential units along the Route 228 corridor.

Simon informed state officials of the decision in a letter dated Jan. 22. It was signed by Kathy Shields, senior vice president of development, and sent to several key officials, including Secretary Allen Biehler of the state Department of Transportation and Secretary John Blake of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Shields also sent a separate letter dated Jan. 21 to Cranberry Township manager Jerry Andree. The Butler Eagle obtained both letters under Pennsylvania's new open records law.

Shield's letter to Andree illustrated Simon's frustration that the project hasn't moved forward in more than a year and that "it is imprudent for us to place any more money at risk" in its project.

The latest version of the widening project, known as Plan B, is supposed to add more lanes to Route 228, from the Route 19 intersection to Myoma Road in Adams Township. These plans are scaled back from the original plan to extend the widening the 10 miles to Route 8 in Middlesex Township. The original road widening project, drafted eight years ago and expected to cost $85 million, is still more than $20 million short of full funding. Plan B is estimated at $65 million.

Simon has tied its plans to build the large mall with the widening project.

"While we still believe the (mall) site has tremendous economic development potential, we cannot continue to invest substantial amounts in anticipation of development when there is no reasonable likelihood that a feasible solution will emerge in the foreseeable term," the letter said.