CRANBERRY TWP — The MSA Thruway, Cranberry Township's ambitious infrastructure goal connecting Cranberry Woods and Springs by bypassing Route 228 with slip roads to and from Interstate 79 northbound on- and off-ramps, should provide for more development within the two business parks.

A slip road is at a junction that allows people to change roads without actually entering an intersection.

Township manager Dan Santoro said the thruway, which should be complete and open by the end of the summer, will not only allow a significant amount of traffic to bypass Route 228 but also will accommodate more economic growth within both Cranberry Woods, to the south of Route 228, and Cranberry Springs to the north.

On the traffic end, Cranberry projects nearly 1,300 vehicles will turn from Interstate 79 northbound onto the thruway in the morning, with an overall reduction in traffic between I-79 and the developments by 22% during peak morning hours.

Moreover, the queue on the I-79 off-ramp will be reduced by 40% in the morning, the township said.

During the evening, traffic between I-79 and Cranberry Springs and Woods will be reduced by 10%, according to the township, with 700 vehicles per hour using the thruway rather than Route 228.

Finally, the township claims eastbound traffic on Route 228 at the Cranberry Springs/Cranberry Woods intersection will be reduced by 30%, with delays being slashed by one-third.

2,300 jobs expected

But the projected impacts of the thruway extend beyond making a commuter's drive slightly easier. In terms of numbers, Cranberry expects 2,300 full-time jobs may stem from the thruway.

Santoro said that's due in large part to the better traffic conditions.

“The thruway is designed to accommodate build-out of both business parks as well as forecasted traffic growth for years to come,” Santoro said. “The thruway will make access to and around the Cranberry Woods and Cranberry Springs and businesses along 228 easier and make the area an attractive place to locate or frequent a business.”

Township director of planning and development services Ron Henshaw described the efficiency of the thruway as being attractive for businesses.

“That whole area, wherever there's development yet to happen, the possible tenants, occupants or whomever will look at it and say, 'We're in one of the hearts of Cranberry and, guess what? They made the road system so efficient to be here that you want to be here more,'” Henshaw said. “I think that is a very attractive thing for businesses.

“I think they'll look at it and say, 'Yep, we can get in and out of there easily, we can get to the airport relatively easily and we can get to Pittsburgh super easily.'”