Roadwork Roundup: Multiple Construction Projects Begin on Cranberry's Route 228

is getting a facelift—and that includes multiple construction projects.

Work has begun on a coordinated series of traffic enhancements along a three-mile stretch of the highway. The upgrades include turning lanes, highway-access ramps and a new connecting road. 

The improvements are expected to increase safety and ease traffic flow as well as sustain economic development along Cranberry's fast-growing “Innovation Corridor,” according to a statement from the township. 

Key projects on Route 228 include:

• Franklin Road: Northbound traffic along Franklin Road at its intersection with Route 228 will soon have an official left turn lane that mirrors the road's pattern on the opposite side of the highway. This will enable the traffic light to signal dedicated left turns onto Route 228 for Franklin Road travelers in both directions. 
• North Catholic High School: The campus will have its own access point on Franklin, north of its intersection with Route 228. Old Mars-Crider Road also will be aligned with the existing intersection of Mars Road and Franklin Road to create a signalized, four-way intersection.
• Cranberry Crossroads: —includes a new road. Fairport Drive will access Route 228 at its already-signalized intersection with Cranberry Woods Drive. Fairport Drive also will intersect a new extension of the service road—currently known as Cranberry Commons Drive—which parallels Route 228 in front of Cranberry Commons.  It will then continue north to Mars Road. New turning lanes will be added to Route 228 for traffic approaching the intersection from both directions. Provisions for three left-turn lanes will be added to Cranberry Woods Drive on the opposite side of the highway. New westbound through lanes also will be added between Cranberry Woods Drive and Interstate-79.
• I-79 ramps: Today, westbound drivers on Route 228 who want to access I-79 in either direction must first make a left turn across traffic to get to the Interstate's on-ramps. That same situation is mirrored on the other side of the bridge for eastbound traffic. Through traffic is held back so drivers can make those lefts, resulting in a chronic traffic tangle. This year, the construction of new ramps on the northern side of Route 228 will link the highway directly to I-79 in all directions, resulting in more green time for through traffic.

For more information on Route 228, visit www.cranberrytownship.org/228.

-- Information submitted by Cranberry Township. Have news you'd like to share with Patch readers? Email information and photos to Editor Jessica Sinichak at jessica.sinichak@patch.com or visit our .