Pennsylvania Route 228
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 228 is an 21 miles (33.8 km) long state highway
located in Butler
county in Pennsylvania
. The western terminus is at US 19
in Cranberry Township
. The eastern terminus is at PA 356
in Buffalo Township.
Because of the continued growth in Cranberry Township and Seven Fields
, PennDOT is in the planning stages to widen the highway to four lanes between Cranberry and PA 8
.
. In addition to the southern Butler County traffic, the road also carries a large volume of northern Allegheny County
traffic that is traveling locally to the numerous businesses along the road. In the south central portion of the county, Route 228 also connects to PA Route 8, a 4-lane divided highway. Finally, Route 228 ends on the eastern side of Butler County at PA Route 356. This terminus is very close to PA Route 28, a limited access highway carrying traffic away from Pittsburgh to the northeast direction. All of these junctions, some major, some minor, contribute to the massive congestion on Route 228
Starting at the western terminus with US Route 19, PA 228 is a four-lane, divided highway. As travelers head east past the I-79 interchange, both sides of the highway are highly developed. A wide-variety of restaurants are located on the south side of the highway, opposite a large strip mall on the north side of the highway.
After crossing the intersection with Franklin Road, drivers approach Seven Fields borough. The road narrows from 4 lanes to 2 lanes (One each direction). From this point on, Route 228 is 2 lanes for the duration of its route (the exception is when it runs concurrent with PA Route 8).
After leaving Seven Fields, drivers enter Adams Township
. Although this stretch of roadway isn't highly developed like the neighboring Cranberry Township and Seven Fields portions are, traffic is still a problem. This is because local residents use this stretch of road to commute locally (to Cranberry) or to the city of Pittsburgh via I-79 or US Route 19. This large traffic volume issue is further compounded by the numerous side roads that are well traveled. Many of Rt. 228's intersections with side roads do not have turning lanes or traffic signals. Often drivers have to wait a considerable amount of time to turn onto a side roads because of heavy traffic volume during rush hour. This leads to backlogs in traffic since vehicles have to sit for long periods of time in the only travel lane waiting to turn, and other motorists cannot pass said stopped vehicle.
PA Route 228 bypasses the town of Mars
. Traffic is very often slow moving due to slow hill climbing speeds for trucks and heavy traffic volume, in general. Town is accessible through four intersections (In parentheses represents where travelers are coming from):
Shortly after passing Mars Area Middle School, travelers enter Middlesex Township
. Before arriving at the intersection with Route 8, drivers travel through an 'S' bend, locally known as "Balls Bend". This bend is notorious for accidents due to reckless driving and tractor trailers over turning. For 1.7 miles, PA Route 228 and PA Route 8 run concurrently (share the same road). After 1.7 miles, PA 228 heads east towards Saxonburg
and Freeport, while PA 8 continues north toward Butler and eventually Erie.
While there is still some truck traffic (and now, rural farm traffic), traffic congestion on PA 228 is considerably less than it is west of the intersection with PA 8. Traffic traveling this portion of the road may be destined for PA Route 28 North (Kittanning, Indiana), the town of Freeport, or another location along the Allegheny Valley.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
located in Butler
Butler County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 174,083 people, 65,862 households, and 46,827 families residing in the county. The population density was 221 people per square mile . There were 69,868 housing units at an average density of 89 per square mile...
county in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The western terminus is at US 19
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 is a north–south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie....
in Cranberry Township
Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
Cranberry Township is a township in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is classified as a Second Class Township and follows the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Second Class Township Code. The population was 28,098 as of the 2010 census....
. The eastern terminus is at PA 356
Pennsylvania Route 356
Pennsylvania Route 356 is an long state highway located in Westmoreland, Allegheny, Butler, and Armstrong counties in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 66 near Oklahoma...
in Buffalo Township.
Buffalo Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
Buffalo Township is a township in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,827 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
Because of the continued growth in Cranberry Township and Seven Fields
Seven Fields, Pennsylvania
Seven Fields is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,986 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Seven Fields is located at ....
, PennDOT is in the planning stages to widen the highway to four lanes between Cranberry and PA 8
Pennsylvania Route 8
Pennsylvania Route 8 is a major long route in western Pennsylvania. Officially, PA 8 is named the William Flinn Highway. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 376, U.S. Route 22, and U.S. Route 30 in Pittsburgh...
.
Route description
Route 228 serves as the main thoroughfare across southern Butler County, due to the fact its western end in Cranberry Township connects to both U.S. Route 19 and Interstate 79Interstate 79
Interstate 79 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States, designated from Interstate 77 in Charleston, West Virginia to Pennsylvania Route 5 and Pennsylvania Route 290 in Erie, Pennsylvania...
. In addition to the southern Butler County traffic, the road also carries a large volume of northern Allegheny County
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
traffic that is traveling locally to the numerous businesses along the road. In the south central portion of the county, Route 228 also connects to PA Route 8, a 4-lane divided highway. Finally, Route 228 ends on the eastern side of Butler County at PA Route 356. This terminus is very close to PA Route 28, a limited access highway carrying traffic away from Pittsburgh to the northeast direction. All of these junctions, some major, some minor, contribute to the massive congestion on Route 228
Starting at the western terminus with US Route 19, PA 228 is a four-lane, divided highway. As travelers head east past the I-79 interchange, both sides of the highway are highly developed. A wide-variety of restaurants are located on the south side of the highway, opposite a large strip mall on the north side of the highway.
After crossing the intersection with Franklin Road, drivers approach Seven Fields borough. The road narrows from 4 lanes to 2 lanes (One each direction). From this point on, Route 228 is 2 lanes for the duration of its route (the exception is when it runs concurrent with PA Route 8).
After leaving Seven Fields, drivers enter Adams Township
Adams Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
Adams Township is a township in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,652 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000,...
. Although this stretch of roadway isn't highly developed like the neighboring Cranberry Township and Seven Fields portions are, traffic is still a problem. This is because local residents use this stretch of road to commute locally (to Cranberry) or to the city of Pittsburgh via I-79 or US Route 19. This large traffic volume issue is further compounded by the numerous side roads that are well traveled. Many of Rt. 228's intersections with side roads do not have turning lanes or traffic signals. Often drivers have to wait a considerable amount of time to turn onto a side roads because of heavy traffic volume during rush hour. This leads to backlogs in traffic since vehicles have to sit for long periods of time in the only travel lane waiting to turn, and other motorists cannot pass said stopped vehicle.
PA Route 228 bypasses the town of Mars
Mars, Pennsylvania
Mars is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 1,746 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Mars is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of , all of it land....
. Traffic is very often slow moving due to slow hill climbing speeds for trucks and heavy traffic volume, in general. Town is accessible through four intersections (In parentheses represents where travelers are coming from):
- Beaver Street Extension: Leads you onto Pittsburgh Street and into town after going straight at the blinker (From the West).
- Pittsburgh Street/Warrendale Road: Pittsburgh Street takes you past St. John's Care Home and into town after going straight at the blinker (From the West or South).
- Mars-Valencia Road: Intersection with 7-11 and Good Ole Uncle Bob's Restaurant. Turns into Irvine Street and after bearing right at the Firehouse, you'll arrive in town on Grand Avenue (From the South or East).
- Brickyard Road: Near the schools. Follow straight until you cross the railroad tracks and then make a right onto Mars-Valencia Road/Irvine Street. After bearing right at the Firehouse, you'll arrive in town on Grand Avenue (From the East).
Shortly after passing Mars Area Middle School, travelers enter Middlesex Township
Middlesex Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
Middlesex Township is a township in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,586 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 23.0 square miles , of which, 23.0 square miles of it is land and...
. Before arriving at the intersection with Route 8, drivers travel through an 'S' bend, locally known as "Balls Bend". This bend is notorious for accidents due to reckless driving and tractor trailers over turning. For 1.7 miles, PA Route 228 and PA Route 8 run concurrently (share the same road). After 1.7 miles, PA 228 heads east towards Saxonburg
Saxonburg, Pennsylvania
Saxonburg is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,629 as of the 2000 census.- History :Founded in 1832 by John A...
and Freeport, while PA 8 continues north toward Butler and eventually Erie.
While there is still some truck traffic (and now, rural farm traffic), traffic congestion on PA 228 is considerably less than it is west of the intersection with PA 8. Traffic traveling this portion of the road may be destined for PA Route 28 North (Kittanning, Indiana), the town of Freeport, or another location along the Allegheny Valley.