JACKSON TWP — The township is in the process of buying four properties so it can upgrade an intersection on Route 528.

The township supervisors voted Monday morning to acquire properties to create a four-way intersection for Jo Deener Drive and Tomlinson Road, realigning those roads. The sharp bend and fork-in-the-road on Jo Deener Drive would be eliminated.

“Jo Deener Drive joins Route 528 on a substandard angle. So with the increase of traffic on 528 and Jo Deener Drive coming from what’s becoming our main residential corridor, safety concerns have increased there,” township manager Chris Rearick said.

Rearick said the plan to remake the intersection also stemmed from increased business developments in the area. FedEx plans on opening a new facility in spring 2016, employing about 500 people. Lindy Paving will expand with its new concrete plant.

Also, the Butler County Transit Authority park-and-ride lot near that intersection recently tripled in size according to Rearick.

“There are several concerns and factors right there recently that have contributed to our safety concerns,” Rearick said.

The supervisors met with the township solicitor last week in an executive session to discuss legal concerns about the project, among other items.

An agreement has been reached with James Coulter for one of the lots. The cost of that lot has not been determined.

The township is negotiating with other property owners and landlords to acquire the remaining three lots, owned by Manheim’s Pennsylvania Auction Services, 4 Dee Properties and Mark Weiser. Costs for each lot have not been determined.

The township has contracted with Keystone Acquisitions, which also is contacting property owners.

Rearick hopes the intersection project will be done by spring 2016.

The township received a $1.4 million state grant in 2014 for this work. Traffic impact fee monies imposed by the township on developers also are being used to match the grant to complete the project.

The supervisors will not meet Thursday evening because they met Monday.