As the region’s demographics shift, so, too, must the roads and other infrastructure that keep residents moving.

There likely will be a project coming to a road near you soon, if there isn’t one already.

We learned in the Wednesday, Oct. 25, edition of the Butler Eagle that PennDOT is working apace on millions of dollars in projects across the county.

As if you didn’t notice.

Many of these projects will continue into next year, and some are expected to go on through 2026.

Brian Allen, PennDOT district executive for the region, said in a statement the projects aim to help “motorists travel safely and efficiently throughout our district.”

“Our primary goal is to maintain and improve our roadways to keep them safe for regional motorists,” he said.

To name a few, there’s the new Portersville Bridge project, improvements to Freedom Road in Cranberry Township, safety improvements to Balls Bend in Middlesex Township, and safety improvements to Route 68 in Butler and Connoquenessing.

In PennDOT’s statement, secretary Mike Carroll said the department had made “significant progress” with its improvements throughout the region.

Beginning Monday, the Pennsylvania Turnpike westbound at the Cranberry Township interchange at Exit 28 will be closed for concrete replacement.

Also, there’s a slew of local election candidates who want to see road improvements prioritized or are running on their record of recent road improvements.

Candidates in the races for Butler City Council, Center Township, Brady Township and Slippery Rock Borough, to name just a few, have voiced support for road and/or infrastructure improvements in their platforms.

All of these improvements should ease some of the growing pains the county is experiencing, while making the county more attractive to prospective businesses and residents.

— RJ