U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-4th, has thrust himself into the spotlight regarding the proposed Route 228 improvements by his announcement that he will be working hard on the project's behalf during the coming session of Congress.

If he is successful at securing funding that would allow the project to proceed, he will be able to put that achievement high on the list of his congressional accomplishments for future re-election campaigns. If he fails, it can be assumed that future election opponents might use that unsuccessful effort as an indicator of ineffectiveness.

Still, Altmire's courage in putting himself on the proverbial hot seat on the project's behalf should not go unnoticed by his constituents, regardless of the project's outcome.

A development such as a decision by Simon Property Group to opt not to proceed with its plans for development along Route 228, which Simon has threatened because of the project's failure to move ahead for so many years, would make Altmire's task much more formidable.

Simon has indicated it would contribute to the road project, but apparently no formal commitment or amount is in place.

Altmire, who will be starting his second House term, has publicly acknowledged the difficulty that he faces in securing the needed money — about $20 million. The situation would appear more hopeful if there was more and stronger support for the project from this county's General Assembly contingent — a dedicated and coordinated effort to get around the roadblocks.

Area state lawmakers have been too silent about the project and have not publicly committing themselves to close cooperation with the Rendell administration in an effort to get the project moving.

But the lawmakers and Gov. Ed Rendell should acknowledge the roadway promises that have been made to Simon and to Westinghouse, which is establishing its headquarters complex along Route 228 in Cranberry Township.

According to Altmire, money coming to Pennsylvania under an Obama Administration plan for infrastructure improvements across the country might not be enough to enable Route 228 to move forward, considering the state's other priorities.

The Keystone State has targeted repair and replacement of structurally deficient bridges as its top priority, and the state Department of Transportation, on its Web site, has outlined more than 300 projects in the commonwealth that are considered higher priority than the economy-based Route 228 upgrade between Interstate 79 in Cranberry Township and Myoma Road in Adams Township.

Actually, Route 228 needs to be enlarged for greater vehicle capacity all the way east to Route 8.

Altmire, who is a member of the U.S. House Transportation Committee, said "big money" for infrastructure projects oftentimes is secured in small committees when large bills are being considered for highway funding. It is to be hoped he can use his committee membership as leverage on behalf of the local roadway.

There is regional justification for upgrading Route 228. In addition to Butler County, the project is important to northern Allegheny County and to people in Beaver County.

"I'm going to do everything I can to make sure in that (transportation) bill that I get direct funding for Route 228," Altmire said. "We've made promises to both Westinghouse and Simon and it's critical that we fulfill that promise. These are tough economic times, but I'm very hopeful I can bring money back to this project."

It is to be hoped that new U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, who will be taking over the seat currently held by Rep. Phil English, can be counted on to join Altmire in pushing for the funding of the Route 228 initiative.

The threat of a Simon pullout adds a sense of urgency to all officials with ties to the area. All considered, the region has no recourse but to muster a strong effort on the proj-ect's behalf.

Altmire has taken a bold step in creating at least some sense of hope that federal funding for the project might be possible, despite the troubled economy. But the project needs a stronger, more dedicated commitment from many more officials, from the local and county levels of government right up to Congress.

Is it really too much to expect the county's Republican lawmakers to work with the Democratic Rendell administration on behalf of the project?

Instead of dwelling on past mistakes and errors in judgment that have stalled the project, the effort must shift to doing what's necessary so the project isn't lost.

The death knell has not yet been sounded — and that must not happen.