Freedom Road Project in Cranberry Township nears completion
The long-running Freedom Road expansion project is entering its final stretch, with paving work set to take place in coming weeks, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation confirmed.
After beginning work on Saturday and Sunday, crews will continue paving the section of Freedom Road between Powell and Haine School roads on Sept. 27 and 28 and Oct. 4 and 5, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, a rain date is scheduled for Oct. 11 and 12.
Eastbound traffic will be detoured during the work periods via Powell Road, Rochester Road, Route 19 and back onto Freedom Road.
The $18 million dollar project, which extends the ongoing Freedom Road improvements, includes widening the highway, adding new turning lanes, realigning sections of the road, upgrading aging traffic signals, and improving storm drainage and lighting. Sidewalks, access roads and other safety enhancements are also part of the project.
Once the paving is complete, according to PennDOT community relations coordinator Tina Gibbs, crews will finish line striping, apply pavement markings, activate the new traffic signals and install all corresponding signage. Temporary lane shifts controlled by flaggers may occur during some of the final phases, she said.
The project, which is being completed by Gulisek Construction of Mount Pleasant, is slated to wrap up by Nov. 17, marking the completion of one of the township’s largest infrastructure undertakings in recent years.
The township, through its staff and engineer Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, has played an active role in the project by overseeing design upgrades along Freedom Road aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety at major intersections.
Work has included adding turn lanes and modifying signals at Commonwealth and Executive drives, along with installing a new signal with emergency preemption capability at Valley Forge and Parkwood drives.
