MSA Thruway nearing finish line
CRANBERRY TWP — As Route 228 between Route 19 and Cranberry Springs returns to some sense of normalcy, the cones on the road signify how close the MSA Thruway is to completion.
Township engineer Mike Malak last Thursday updated Cranberry officials on the progress of the township's ambitious infrastructure project, which includes an underpass under Route 228 and slip lanes to and from Interstate 79 northbound.
The thruway, Malak said, is roughly 70% complete. Not only is the tunnel fully excavated, but much of the grading work is finished, too. Malak said the ramp extending to Route 228 has been graded, the roundabouts are in place and the stormwater detention facilities are graded.
Additionally, within the next few weeks, he estimated the curbing and islands on Route 228, where traffic has been set to one side or the other for much of the last year, should be placed.
Workers are still widening Cranberry Woods Drive, which was part of the project.“That having been said, we're still on track for mid- to late summer completion of the project,” Malak said.When completed, the MSA Thruway will connect businesses such as MSA Safety Inc. and the Westinghouse Electric Co. to restaurants and shops on the north end of Route 228 with two roundabouts, an exit lane from I-79 northbound and bicycle and pedestrian access.Cranberry projects that nearly 1,300 vehicles will use the lane from the off-ramp to the thruway during the morning rush hour, reducing the traffic on the exit by more than half.On Route 228, the township expects traffic between I-79 and the exits to Cranberry Woods and Cranberry Springs to be reduced by nearly 25% in the morning and 10% in the evening.
