Cranberry Township has been awarded a grant to put toward work on the MSA Thruway.

CRANBERRY TWP — A proposed infrastructure project in the township received a major financial boost Wednesday.

The state Department of Community and Economic Development on Wednesday approved a $2.87 million grant to help with the project, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion by building an underpass beneath Route 228 and corresponding ramps from Interstate 79. The thruway will also connect the Cranberry Springs development and Cranberry Woods Business Park.

To construct the 150-foot underpass, crews are expected to dig about 25 feet down. The road will have two northbound lanes, one southbound lane, a bike trail and a sidewalk, according to previous Butler Eagle reports. The opening at each end will be large enough to let in natural light, but the design calls for lighting to ensure it is safe for pedestrians.

The project has been dubbed the MSA Thruway. MSA, headquartered in Cranberry Woods, donated land valued at $3.2 million on the south side of Route 228 that is necessary for the project.

The project, estimated to cost about $16 million, could support the creation of 2,300 permanent, full-time jobs and more than 4,000 temporary construction jobs, as well as open the area for future development, according to officials.

In making the announcement, Dennis Davin, Department of Community and Economic Development secretary, said the project is needed due to the massive growth being seen in and around the township.

“In order to accommodate this growth and the future development of the area, we need to make sure the township has the necessary transportation infrastructure in place to be able to handle the additional vehicle and pedestrian traffic,” he said. “This project will provide a massive boost to future economic development and job creation in the region.”

Dick Hadley, chairman of the township supervisors, said the project is a critical component of the development plan in Cranberry Woods, which has created 7,000 jobs.

“The thruway will continue creating additional jobs in neighboring Cranberry Springs,” he said. “This investment will continue to support a proven job creation environment in the 228 corridor.”

Additionally, Hadley said the project will alleviate traffic congestion for all motorists traveling through the area at the I-79/Route 228 intersection.

“The board of supervisors is appreciative of Governor Wolf's support of this project,” he said.

During a meeting last month, the board revised its application for the grant. Originally, the request was for $2.91 million, with the amended request set at $2.87 million. Jerry Andree, township manager, said the township is pursuing a number of additional funding sources.

“The balance of the funds will be paid from developers' impact fees as well as contributions from the developer of Cranberry Springs,” he said.

Andree added officials expect the project to go to bid in early 2019, with the work being completed in one construction season.

PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards said he was happy to see considerations given for all modes of transportation in the project plan.

“I am especially pleased with the accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians as this fits my goal of delivering better transportation across the modes,” he said.

Project funding was provided by the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Funds program, which is administered in cooperation with DCED and the state Department of Transportation.