County road, bridge projects included in proposed regional transportation plan
Road and bridge projects in the county are included in a four-year regional transportation improvement plan proposal.
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission is set to vote on its 2023-2026 Transportation Improvement Plan, which includes $6.4 billion in projects in 10 Southwestern Pennsylvania counties, on June 27.
All three county commissioners along with Mark Gordon, chief of economic development and planning, and Cranberry Township Supervisor Richard Hadley are the county’s voting members of the commission’s board.
“It’s really a well documented plan for funding future projects,” county Commissioner Kevin Boozel said.
Inclusion in the plan does not guarantee the projects will be carried out. Instead, the plan serves as a list of projects the counties hope will be funded.
“Being on the (Transportation Improvement Plan) is not guaranteed funding,” Boozel said. “It’s a flexible, fluid plan that depends on available funding. Funding can move a project up on the list.”
At a cost of $36.3 million, replacement of the Karns Crossing Bridge that carries Route 68 between Butler and Summit townships is the most expensive county project on the list.
The plan calls for federal and state allocations totaling $628,500 in 2023, $9,596,544 in 2024, $14,481,553 in 2025 and $11,636,029 in 2026.
Another major project is the reconstruction of the intersection of Route 228, Mars Valencia Road and Three Degree Road n Adams Township at a cost of $19.4 million.
The project would include adding through lanes, turning lanes at various intersections, side road improvements, service roads, drainage and guide rail upgrades, signal replacement and signage. A roundabout on Three Degree Road is included.
Federal and state funding includes allocations of $3,803,965 in 2023, $4,848,271 in 2024, $5,910,179 in 2025 and $4,881,345 in 2026.
An improvement project for the Route 356 corridor from Harbison Road to Younkins Road in Buffalo Township at a cost of $15.2 million is in the plan.
The project is intended to improve traffic flow by adding turning and through lanes and timing and coordinating traffic signals.
Funding would come from $196,745 in federal and state allocations in 2023, $5,843,683 in 2025 and $9,212,471 in 2026.
Resurfacing Route 228 between Brewer and Sarver roads in Clinton and Buffalo townships at a cost of $8.8 million is in the plan. The project calls for the state to provide $4,989,249 in 2024 and $3,811,451 in 2025.
Patching the concrete, four-lane section of Route 422 from Benbrook Road to the Route 356 interchange in Butler Township, and overlaying it with asphalt at a cost of $7.2 million is on the list.
A $6.5 million project to replace traffic signals and add turning lanes on Route 68 between Stevenson Road and Meridian Road/Benbrook Road in Connoquenessing and Butler townships are included in the plan.
