Improvements to Route 228 in Butler County were discussed as the State Transportation Commission met Thursday in Cranberry.

Joe Dubovi, district executive of PennDOT's District 10, gave an update on major projects, including the repaving of Interstate 79 and the roundabout at Cox's Corner in Clinton Township.

Dubovi also discussed three future projects in the county in the transportation improvement plan, all for Route 228:

Safety improvements at the intersection of Route 8 and Route 228, including turn lanes, signal improvements and other upgrades. Dubovi said this construction should begin next year.

Safety improvements on Route 228 at the intersection with Three Degree Road, including adding through-lanes, turn lanes and side road improvements. Construction should begin in 2020.

Widening Route 228 to four or six lanes from Route 8 to Franklin Road in Cranberry. This project is not funded or on the schedule yet, but it could cost up to $90 million.

County Commissioner Kim Geyer spoke during public comments to plead with the commission to make the Route 228 widening project a higher priority.

“I've lived in the Mars area my whole life,” Geyer said. “(Route) 228 has been an issue of contention for at least 30 of those years. People in the community and the region, even before the growth came, were always talking about 228 and how it's such a viable roadway …. How could it remain a two-lane highway?

“Why isn't somebody doing something to widen this road to accommodate growth?”

The $5.5 million roundabout at Cox's Corner, the first on a state road in District 10, is scheduled to be completed next summer.

The $16 million project to repave a portion of I-79 in Cranberry and Jackson townships is nearing completion. Dubovi said the paving is complete and crews are just finishing final touches on the project.

When asked about the economy of the district by State Transportation Commission member George Khoury, Dubovi said the areas around the three state universities — Slippery Rock, Clarion and Indiana — are typically vibrant.

But other areas that have seen manufacturing jobs leave are not as well off. Butler County, though, is seeing immense growth, especially in its southwestern corner.

“Butler County, it's unbelievable. The economy in Butler County is doing well,” he said.

Of the 425,000 people that live in District 10, 43 percent live in Butler County, Dubovi said.

The commission also heard presentations on the autonomous vehicle task force, vehicle and driving services, an update on the Twelve Year Transportation Program and other business reports.