JACKSON TWP — Commuters will have more parking spaces with the expansion of the Route 528 park and ride site this year.

The township supervisors approved the project Thursday evening. With the expansion, there will be 335 parking spaces available to commuters.

Construction should start this spring.

The current lot, from which the New Castle Area Transit Authority offers commuter service to Pittsburgh, has parking for 82 vehicles, but about 100 squeeze into it daily.

It is near the intersection of Interstate 79 and Route 528.

The state Department of Transportation recently erected concrete barriers there to discourage commuters from parking on the road berms when the lot is full.

The Butler County Commissioners last year approved $33,229 for the expansion, which is projected to cost $1.5 million to $2 million.