The long march along 228

Improving the Rt. 228 corridor has been Cranberry’s top transportation priority for years. So when negotiations for the $85 million package of roadway improvements that we had been working toward collapsed earlier this year, we were disappointed. But much to its credit, PennDOT immediately came back with commitments for a handful of worthwhile, but less expensive projects around the intersection of 228 and I-79. One of them – a stretch of new roadway between the I-79 northbound off ramp and the entrance to Cranberry Woods – went from start to finish in just three weeks. Amazing. At the same time, even though PennDOT is scaling back the pace of its overall program of 228 upgrades, it has not abandoned the vision; any improvements made in the future will still have to conform with their master plan for the road, which they call an ‘urban boulevard.’ Interestingly enough, that concept is patterned after the segment of 228 we struggled so hard to build here in Cranberry eight years ago – with planter islands, sidewalks, turning lanes, and so forth. So even though we’ve suffered a setback, we are very pleased that PennDOT has validated our vision for the road and that someday our shared vision will be realized.

Is Cranberry Township sending Police to the G20 Summit?

Not exactly, although our police lieutenant is on the G20 planning committee and our police are taking steps to prepare for the event’s impact here in Cranberry. When the G20 Pittsburgh Summit was first announced, our Board Chairman, Dick Hadley, wrote to Mayor Ravenstahl congratulating the city for this honor and offering any help we could provide, including advance services, such as public works, administrative and planning services,or anything else the City may need. In the meantime, Cranberry’s hotels are already booked solid and, as home to several high-profile global corporations, we expect a number of foreign visitors to our own community during that time. So our police focus is on making sure everyone here gets a warm welcome and has a great experience in Cranberry.

Cranberry Township is a huge supporter of Pittsburgh. We want the G20 Summit to be a tremendous success. We are confident the City will do a wonderful job hosting the world’s leaders along with the visitors attracted to that event, and we are pleased to be part of this great event.