Road construction season underway in Butler County
Traffic cones are popping up across Butler County, signaling the debut of roadwork season, the period that stretches through the warmest months of the year addressing issues with busy roads but often creating a separate problem in the process.
Since April 29, cars have had no choice but to drive around a stretch of Meridian Road in Penn Township, which has been closed for reconstruction. This renovation project is expected to last until May 27.
It’s one of nine Pennsylvania Department of Transportation road construction or improvement projects in progress or set to soon begin along state-owned roads in Butler County, including the safety improvement project on Three Degree Road in Adams and Middlesex townships, which is not expected to be finished until November 2026.
However, not all road construction projects are taking place on state roads, which are handled by PennDOT. Many others, including one on McCalmont Road in Butler Township, are being handled at the local level. From May 6 through 10, McCalmont Road is closed to allow Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad to repair a railroad crossing.
“Our son attends full-time preschool in Butler,” said Renfrew resident Marisa Neal. “The road closure has doubled the trip length to his school from a 10-minute drive into a 20-minute drive one way.”
She said the project has made her family’s most frequent commutes into a hassle due to the long detour.
“This has caused a serious financial strain due to the price of gas, and it feels like we’ve paid a small fortune just to transport our child to school.”
Penn Township Supervisor Samuel Ward said there is a detour in each direction.
“But this is for a short duration, and hopefully those railroad tracks will be repaired or replaced soon,” Ward said.
According to Christina Gibbs, community relations coordinator for PennDOT District 10, the increase in road projects is common this time of year.
“Once the weather starts to change in April, the construction season kicks off,” she said. “The construction season typically runs April into November as long as the weather allows.”
Road construction typically halts during the winter months, according to Gibbs.
“Cold weather and snow aren’t conducive to construction projects, and neither is rain.” Gibbs said. “Occasionally, you’ll see date changes for projects if we are anticipating rainy weather.”
This was the case for the project on Meridian Road. The work was supposed to begin April 22, but instead began seven days later, as a run of inclement weather delayed the project. There are provisions in place to reopen the road for access in case of an emergency.
PennDOT road work ongoing or planned early this summer
Portersville Bridge replacement project
Project includes replacement of the Portersville Bridge carrying East Portersville Road over Interstate 79 northbound and southbound in Muddy Creek Township
Estimated completion: summer 2024
Freedom Road widening
Project involves widening, drainage and intersection improvements, including adding turn lanes and new traffic signals on Freedom Road, between the Beaver County line and Haine School Road in Cranberry Township
Estimated completion: fall 2025
Balls Bend realignment project
Project includes new travel lanes in each direction, a new center turn lane, four new structures, jug handle turns and a new signalized intersection on Route 228, Middlesex Township
Estimated completion: January 2025
Route 68 Corridor safety enhancement project
Project includes signal replacement, new turn lanes, corridor improvements from Stevenson Road to Meridian Road intersections in Butler and Connoquenessing townships
Estimated completion: fall 2025
Three Degree Road safety enhancement project
Project includes through and turn lanes, new service roads, new jug handles, drainage, guardrail updates, signal enhancements, sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act ramps and two roundabouts in Adams and Middlesex townships
Estimated completion: November 2026
Route 422 patching
Project includes patching of Route 422 bypass and preventive maintenance of Route 356/Route 422 ramps in Butler Township
Estimated completion: fall 2024
Franklin Road safety improvement project
Project includes shoulder widening and installation of rumble strips, Cranberry Township
Estimated completion: fall 2027
Bridge replacement project on Kline Avenue and Mars Evans City Road
Project includes replacement of two bridges and other miscellaneous construction along Kline Avenue in Callery and Mars Evans City Road in Adams Township
Estimated completion: fall 2025
Meridian Road landslide repair
Project includes landslide correction project along Meridian Road in Penn Township between Railroad Street to approximately Smith Road
Estimated completion: summer 2024
PennDOT’s safety improvement project for Three Degree Road, which started in December 2022 and is to be finished in November 2026, will add numerous features, including new lanes, jug handle turns, signal enhancements, sidewalks and new drainage.
The Three Degree Road project was first pitched in February 2020 to alleviate traffic concerns where several major local establishments are located, including the Mars Area School District, MHY Family Services and Mars soccer fields.
“Before, during morning and evening rush, traffic was backed up quite a bit,” said Adams Township manager Gary Peaco. “This should help alleviate that by adding capacity. This should help businesses along the corridor by being exposed to additional traffic counts.”
Of the nine PennDOT projects in Butler County, four are getting underway this season, and the other five are still in progress from previous years.
In addition to the construction and renovation projects like the one on Three Degree Road, there also are projects which have only recently gotten underway. These PennDOT-led projects include repairing landslide damage on Meridian Road in Penn Township, replacing two bridges along Kline Avenue in Callery and Mars Evans City Road in Adams Township, patching a portion of the Route 422 bypass and widening the shoulder of Franklin Road in Cranberry Township.
The landslides that damaged Meridian Road occurred in November 2022 and led to a months-long closure of a section of the road from the intersections of Railroad Street to Smith Road. That section eventually reopened in March 2023, but for one lane of traffic only.
While all of these projects promise long-term gain when they are finished, they inevitably create short-term pain for motorists while construction is in progress. Road construction typically means slowdowns and lane restrictions, which can be frustrating for those who frequently use the affected roads.
Mars resident Bob Michaels called the situation in his area “total hell.”
“It seems the only time the construction companies can start work at the corner of Three Degree and (Route) 228 is when parents and school buses are attempting to drop off children,” Michaels said. “Long backups, gridlock and flaring tempers are their trademark. Yes, this is another well-though-out project by PennDOT.”
Some positive news for Butler County motorists is that many of these projects are either short-term or scheduled for completion in the near future.
The Portersville Bridge replacement, which began in April 2023, is scheduled for completion this summer. The Balls Bend Improvement Project in Middlesex Township is expected to finish in January, and will add new travel lanes and a center turn lane. The Meridian Road landslide renovation is scheduled to finish this summer.
Gibbs said one of the keys to avoiding trouble in roadwork zones is to maintain a safe distance between your car and the car in front of you.
“Drivers may experience sudden stops or slowdowns leading up to or in work zones,” Gibbs said. “Be sure you have the space between you and the surrounding vehicles to react.”
Gibbs also urges drivers to obey the posted work zone speed limits, pay attention to work signs and flaggers, and use headlights in all work zones.
