Traffic along Route 228 will continue to move through an active construction zone for the next several weeks, as median work progresses between two of the corridor’s busiest intersections.
According to an update provided to The 228 Times by a PennDOT project manager, work will continue through May 29 along Route 228 between the intersections of Mars-Valencia Road and Davis Road.
Despite the visible construction activity—including crews working in the median throughout the week—no lane restrictions are currently planned for this portion of the project. Drivers are still being advised to proceed with caution, particularly as trucks enter and exit the roadway along the corridor.
Temporary Turn Restrictions at Robert Williams Drive
In addition to ongoing median work, PennDOT announced a short-term traffic change at one of the corridor’s key intersections.
From April 20 through April 24, left turns will be restricted at the intersection of Route 228 and Robert Williams Drive:
· No left turns from Route 228 westbound onto Robert Williams Drive
· No left turns from Robert Williams Drive onto Route 228 westbound
The temporary change is part of continued safety improvements along the Route 228 corridor.
Additional Work Underway at Route 228 and Adams Ridge
Construction activity has also begun at the intersection of Route 228 and Adams Ridge, adding to ongoing improvements along the corridor.
Drivers should expect intermittent traffic disruptions in the area over the next several weeks as crews continue work. Motorists are advised to use caution and allow for additional travel time when passing through the intersection.
Final Paving Expected This Summer
Looking ahead, PennDOT anticipates final paving work to take place in June or July, though specific dates and locations have not yet been finalized.
That means some of the most visible and impactful work along the corridor is still ahead.
Final Phase Still in Design, Funding Not Yet Secured
The final segment of the project, known as the “Mars Railroad West Expansion,” project would extend improvements from Franklin Road to just west of Pittsburgh Street, connecting a remaining gap in the corridor.
The project is currently in its final design stages, according to PennDOT, and would include:
· Road widening
· Intersection improvements
· Additional traffic and access upgrades
However, funding for construction has not yet been secured.
“We need approximately $100 million to finish the project, with nearly $160 million already invested,” said County Commissioner Kevin Boozel. “We are heading to Washington to advocate for nearly $60 million in federal funding.”
County Leaders Preparing Federal Push for Final Segment
Butler County officials say efforts to secure funding for the final phase are ongoing—and about to intensify at the federal level.
Kim Geyer said the three county commissioners are scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., in mid-May to meet with officials from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to advocate for funding for the final 3.1-mile segment of Route 228.
That segment would extend from just beyond the Pittsburgh Street intersection in Mars to Franklin Road in Cranberry Township, completing a critical gap in the corridor.
According to Geyer, the county is seeking at least $61 million in federal funding for the project, with the remaining costs expected to be covered through a combination of state and local sources.
She noted that while the original estimate for the final phase was approximately $100 million, rising material and labor costs could push that figure higher.
“This is a project that has been discussed for decades,” Geyer said, noting that Route 228 was once a two-lane road and that earlier efforts relied heavily on state-driven funding priorities.
Since taking office in 2016, she said county officials have taken a more proactive approach—working directly with federal partners, PennDOT District 10, and economic development leaders to secure funding.
Geyer emphasized that completing the project will require continued coordination across all levels of government.
“No one entity can do this alone,” she said. “It takes collaboration at the county, state, and federal level to move a project of this scale forward.”
PennDOT officials say they are continuing to work with the Butler County Commissioners and local municipalities in Adams Township, Cranberry Township, and Seven Fields Borough to explore funding options and move the project forward.
For now, no construction timeline has been announced for that final phase.
What Drivers Should Expect
Drivers should expect:
· Ongoing construction activity through late May
· Minimal lane restrictions in the current phase
· Short-term traffic adjustments at key intersections
· Additional work, including paving, later this summer
And beyond that, a larger question remains—when the final section of Route 228 will finally be funded and completed.
