Major project on road that connects Beaver and Butler counties nears completion

CRANBERRY, Pa. — The major project to widen Freedom Road in Cranberry Township is nearly complete.

“This corridor is important to the whole region,” said Leslie Osche, Butler County Board of Commissioners Chairman.

It is considered ‘Build Two’ - a part of Butler County’s much larger Gateway 228 Project. It’s a $100 million project improving the connection between Beaver and Butler Counties through Cranberry Township, Seven Fields, Mars, and other municipalities.

“There’s no road, other road in Butler County, that has as much GDP being transported annually across that corridor,” added Butler County Commissioner Kimberly Geyer.

It’s one of the reasons why the county worked with the local municipalities and the federal government to widen the road.

They also added turning lanes — including one in the middle of the roadway — to make it safer.

County commissioners say 56,000 cars travel it every day. Traffic often backed up — and it was a common place for accidents.

“We had three bus rollovers on this route before we got started on this construction,” said Butler County Commissioner Kevin Boozel. “But, safety has improved 65%.”

Cranberry Township Supervisor Bruce Hezlep is also the assistant fire chief. He said widening Freedom Road doesn’t just make it safer, but also improves response times for emergencies.

“A lot of times, our EMS provider, Cranberry Township EMS, will respond down into Beaver County. They actually stage an ambulance at our station right off of Freedom Road, so that access for them and our residents down there? It’ll be much easier,” Hezlep said.

The construction cones are still up. There’s some additional line painting and some work leveling manhole covers to finish before they come down for the expanded road to be fully open. But that day is coming soon.

“We’re probably 95% complete with the project,” Hezlep said.

And for those who live, walk, and drive on Freedom Road?

“I can’t wait, honestly!” Odin Kreidler said.

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