JACKSON TWP — A planned 200-parking space expansion to the Route 528 Park ‘N’ Ride bus facility is now fully funded with construction set to begin in July and completion slated for either late this year or by spring 2013.

The current lot, from which the New Castle Area Transit Authority offers commuter service to Pittsburgh, has parking for 75 vehicles, but about 100 cars and trucks cram into it daily.

It is near the intersection of Interstate 79 and Route 528.

The state Department of Transportation recently erected concrete barriers there to discourage commuters from parking on the road berms when the lot is full.

The Butler County Commissioners this morning approved $33,229 for the expansion project, which will cost $1.5 to $2 million, according to Butler Transit Authority Executive Director John Paul.

That $33,000 is left over county money from the BTA’s intermodal transit center on Hansen Avenue, which opened last year.

The remainder of funds is from state and federal grants.

“We’re very fortunate to be able to do this with no state or federal transportation funding bill currently in place (to allocate funds),” Paul said.