Mine Safety Appliances Co. could have made a financial windfall four years ago by selling off some prime real estate along the south side of Route 228 in Cranberry Township.

Instead, MSA donated the property, valued at $3.2 million, to the township for the future construction of an access road.

“We could have sold it to a restaurant or hotel, but that would screw up township plans for improving traffic,” an MSA senior vice president said at the time.

Now, blueprints are being drawn up for MSA Thruway, which will feature a tunnel beneath Route 228 to get vehicles and pedestrians under, not across, the six-lane highway. The township hopes to have it built by the end of 2017.

When completed, the $10-million thruway will connect the Cranberry Springs development on the south side of the highway with the Cranberry Woods development on the north side. It will line up with the Cool Springs Drive traffic circle in front of the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

Cranberry Springs developer Gary Sippel will pay 80 percent of the $10 million construction cost, acording to township manager Jerry Andree. Add to that MSA’s commitment of at least $3 million for the unsold land, and it represents a major investment by private interests in a public thoroughfare.

But here’s what they’ll get for their generosity: a fancy, 150-foot-long tunnel with three traffic lanes, a bike lane and sidewalk; and a safe, convenient bypass beneath the six busiest traffic lanes in Butler County — Route 228.

There are about 7,500 employees who come in and out of Cranberry Woods each day and eventually there will be a similar number coming in and out of Cranberry Springs, Andree said. In addition, a 300-unit apartment building is coming to the Village of Cranberry Woods. More apartments will follow.

For these employees and residents, the tunnel will provide an ability to move about without the need of a car — it’s nearly impossible and downright dangerous trying to cross a six-lane highway on foot or bicycle.

It’s not hard to envision more pedestrian- and bicyclist-friendly features cropping up between residential areas of Cranberry Woods and the major employers in Cranberry Springs.

The addition of the MSA Thruway tunnel will enhance the quality of life for residents and employees of Cranberry; consequently, the value and prestige of the community will increase at least as much.