The Interstate 79 South/Route 228 ramp is finally open in Cranberry Township. The ramp is the first of three included in the state's $14.8 million Route 228 project.

CRANBERRY TWP — Motorists heading south on Interstate 79 now have a new traffic pattern if they travel onto Route 228.

One of the three ramps included in the state Department of Transportation’s $14.8 million Route 228 ramp project was opened this week, said Deborah Casadei, PennDOT spokesman.

She said motorists exiting I-79 South to travel east or west on Route 228 should stay in the right lane in the new pattern.

The project, which began in December 2012, also will eliminate two turns from Route 228 onto I-79 north or south through the addition of a new northbound on-ramp and a new southbound loop ramp on Route 228 at either end of its bridge over I-79.

The new ramps will eliminate the traffic backups on Route 228 caused by vehicles waiting to turn left across oncoming traffic to access I-79 north or south.

Casadei said the entire project, which is being done by Swank Construction of New Kensington, will be finished by the end of October.

Township manager Jerry Andree said at the project’s outset the ramps are part of the township’s overall plan for traffic improvement for Route 228.