The status of the proposed Route 228 improvement project became a little clearer last week with the revelation of a new step taken by the state Department of Transportation.

PennDOT has asked Simon Property Group to provide, by the end of January, a clarification of its commitment to the project. Simon, which has plans for a mixed-use commercial development in the highway project area, in the past expressed willingness — although, understandably, not an irrevocable commitment — to provide a sum of money toward the $85 million total project cost. However, there were unconfirmed rumors as late as last week that Simon was on the verge of giving up on the project — and would withdraw its roadway contribution — due to frustration over the project's persistent state of limbo.

It's reasonable to consider that the deteriorating state of the economy also is weighing heavily on Simon in regard to some of its other enterprises, since Cranberry Township remains one of the state's leading growth areas.

Planning for the highway project, which calls for major renovations and additions from Interstate 79 to Myoma Road in Adams Township, began eight years ago — a length of time that would have caused many developers to pull out years ago.

If Cranberry were not such a vibrant area, it would not be far-fetched to believe that Simon too would have backed away years ago because of the lack of progress made on the highway-access issue.

The fact that Simon's project could result in 2,900 jobs deserved strong, committed local leadership from the get-go, to ensure that all players remained on the same page. Unfortunately, that didn't materialize, although it appears now that state Sen. Jane Orie, R-40th, has embraced that role.

The determination she expressed last week regarding not losing the road project, coupled with her stated intention to remain a key player in the effort to make the project reality, is a welcome change from the unimpressive leadership efforts that have dogged the project up to now.

Considering what's at stake, political, business and economic development leaders in this county who claim to be committed to making good things happen should be embarrassed about the long-standing Route 228 stalemate. Some might be doing more than others, but they all should be working on this effort.

Unfortunately, this county is teetering close to a major failure, if Simon's frustration leads to a pullout and if U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-4th, is unable to deliver on his promise to try to acquire federal funds for the $20 million project shortfall that currently exists, even with Simon still on board.

At this late date, it's troubling and unacceptable that most members of the county's state legislative delegation appear anemic in the attention they have given to Route 228 developments — especially by way of their absence from meetings regarding the project. Even delegating attendance to aides for something so important belittles the project's significance.

All legislators who represent parts of Butler County, as well as some from outside the county who acknowledge the regional importance of a modern Route 228, should already have in place a unified, nonpartisan plan to work on the proj-ect's behalf. Unfortunately, no such plan apparently exists.

Judging by what has and has not happened, PennDOT cannot be faulted for its decision to seek a clarification from Simon at this time. State money already targeted for the project is needed on many other fronts.

The state's current emphasis on repairing or replacing structurally deficient bridges provides a wide avenue for the use of the money, if Butler County leaders cannot get their Route 228 act together.

With its inquiry to Simon Property Group, PennDOT has set the stage for the fate of the road project to finally be determined. Local leaders have only days to muster a unified front to try to keep Simon on board while also trying to keep PennDOT committed to an upgraded, modern roadway capable of meeting the traffic corridor's needs.

It's clear that there have been mistakes tied to Route 228. The challenge now is to undo those mistakes' potential — costly — damage.