Officials and residents review plans for the Route 228 Gateway Project on Thursday at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building.

CRANBERRY TWP — A road widening project with an “aggressive” timeline was rolled out to the public Thursday.

A public display of plans for the Route 228 Gateway Project was held at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, where dozens of residents viewed the plans and discussed the project with local and state officials.

According to Jason Kratsas, director of engineering and environmental services for the township, the project aims to widen Freedom Road from Commonwealth Drive to Haine School Road. He said it picks up where a current project to replace the Freedom Road bridge over the Pennsylvania Turnpike leaves off. That project is in the initial construction phases.

Kratsas said the Gateway Project will widen Freedom Road to create a five-lane road. It will include 5-foot bike lanes and 6-foot sidewalks on each side. Kratsas and Mark Gordon, chief of economic development for Butler County, said the inclusion of those elements falls in line with what the younger generations want in their communities.

This is an excerpt — read more in Sunday's Butler Eagle or subscribe online.