Cranberry Twp. awards MSA Thruway construction contract
Cranberry Township supervisors granted approval for the MSA Thruway project in November.
The thruway will connect Cranberry Springs and developments north of Route 228 with MSA and provide access from Interstate 79 to the Cranberry Springs development.
Supervisors unanimously voted to award the construction contract to Allegheny Excavating for $12 million.
“It's been a long ride — a hard ride,” said Richard Hadley, supervisor chairman.
The thruway is part of the Route 228 corridor and aims to decongest traffic along the road.
It's named after MSA because the company donated the land — valued at $3.5 million — for the project.
Approval comes after the township's participation in years of comprehensive planning.
Funding approved for the project could be the largest amount in 10 years. Three items associated with the project amounted to almost $19.9 million.
The township anticipates the thruway will take 700 vehicles off Route 228 during peak afternoon hours. It's also expected to reduce vehicle lines for I-79 north by 40 percent in peak morning hours.
Supervisors also approved a funding agreement with land developer Sippel Enterprises and a tri-party agreement between the township, Sippel and UPMC.UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex is part of Cranberry Springs.The purchasing of construction inspection services through Whitman, Requardt & Associates was approved for $1,119,000.Supervisors gave township manager Jerry Andree approval to submit a request for fund distribution not to exceed $6,714,039.12 from Butler County Infrastructure Bank by Dec. 10.The funding would cover contract costs for the thruway's water tank valve project.Thruway construction is expected to begin in the spring, and estimated to end in winter 2021. Route 228 will be narrowed during corridor work, but should maintain its current number of lanes.
