Cranberry area commuters may not be able to catch a traffic break for several more months.

On Tuesday, PennDOT announced the closure of the travel lanes on Interstate 79 North and South near the Zelienople exit. The lane restrictions will be in place for the next month as part of the work on a five-bridge preservation project costing $2.2 million.

Motorists can expect congestion and delays in high-volume traffic periods, according to PennDOT.

The project is expected to be complete by early November.

Traffic also continues to be tied up on Route 19 at the border of Cranberry and Marshall Township near the Thorn Hill Industrial Park.

The $3.68 million project, which started in mid-August, aims to improve Warrendale Bayne Road between Route 19 and Brush Creek Road.

Work includes reconstructing and widening for additional travel and turn lanes, improved drainage, traffic signals, guide rails and resurfacing

The project also includes work to improve the northbound I-79 off-ramp to Warrendale Bayne Road and the intersections of Innovation Drive and Warrendale Bayne Road, as well as northbound Route 19 and Thorn Hill Road.

The work is expected to end in spring 2013.

Here’s a breakdown of the traffic restrictions, which are round-the-clock through late November.

• Warrendale Bayne Road reduced to a single lane in each direction between the entrance to Seven Eleven and entrance to Jergel's (east of Route 19). Work includes widening to add a new right-turn lane from westbound Warrendale Bayne Road to northbound Route 19.
• Brush Creek Road reduced to a single 11-foot wide lane in each direction for widening work needed to add a new right-turn lane from southbound Brush Creek Road to westbound Warrendale Bayne Road.
• Traffic on the northbound I-79 off-ramp to Warrendale Bayne Road (Exit 75 Warrendale) restricted to a single 12-foot wide lane shifted to the right. Work includes widening on the ramp to add a new left-turn lane at the intersection with Warrendale-Bayne Road.

There is a bright spot ahead.

The restrictions will be lifted in late fall. When work resumes next spring (likely early March through late May), Warrendale Bayne Road will be widened to add an additional lane in each direction from Wheatland Road to Route 19.

What are your thoughts on the roadwork? Are you looking forward to the improvements? Will they ease traffic? Do you have any shortcuts in the meantime you’d like to share? Tell us in the comment section below.