The $43.8 million project, that is expected to last until 2025, will see the two-lane highway widened to four lanes, two jug handles and a traffic light added, the straightening of Ball's Bend and another sweeping curve and replacement of a wetland.

This is a breaking news report — read the full article in Friday's Butler Eagle.Preliminary work on the Route 228 widening and straightening project in Middlesex Township will begin Monday.The $43.8 million project will see the two-lane highway widened to four lanes, two jug handles and a traffic light added, the straightening of Ball's Bend and another sweeping curve and replacement of a wetland.The area of the two-part Gateway 228 project in Middlesex Township, known as the Ball's Bend project, is from Route 8 west to Officer Ed Brooks Drive.The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Thursday stated that beginning Monday, crews will be completing a survey in the area and installing fences to delineate wetlands.No traffic restrictions are expected during this preliminary phase of work, but PennDOT is asking motorists to exercise caution in areas where employees or contractors are working.Eric Buchan, senior design project manager at PennDOT District 10, said Gateway 228 has been moved from the design to the construction phase.The Ball's Bend project will continue until 2025, as extensive work and relocating of the highway is involved, he said.Of the $30 million construction cost, $11.1 million will be paid from the federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, grants received by Butler County.Buchan said the remainder will come from other federal and state funds.

This is a breaking news report — read the full article in Friday's Butler Eagle.