Senator Mccormick Urges Department Oftransportation to Support Butlercounty’s Gateway 228 Grant Application

Senator McCormick backs critical transportation investment to improve safety, reduce congestion, and strengthen regional economic growth in Western Pennsylvania. WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy urging the Department of Transportation to give full and favorable consideration to Butler County’s application for funding through the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways (INFRA) Grant Program. In the letter, Senator McCormick expressed his support for Butler County’s request for $50.9 million to complete the Mars Railroad Bridge West Project, a central component of the larger Gateway 228 corridor improvement project. The investment would ease longstanding traffic congestion, improve freight movement, enhance commuter travel, and strengthen transportation infrastructure throughout the region. “Reliable infrastructure is essential to keeping Pennsylvania’s economy moving,” said Senator McCormick. “The Gateway 228 project will improve safety, reduce congestion, strengthen freight movement, and create new opportunities for growth in Butler County and across Western Pennsylvania. I’m proud to support this application and encourage the Department of Transportation to give it full consideration.” Gateway 228 serves as a vital commuter route and regional freight corridor but has struggled to keep pace with increased traffic and population growth. According to Butler County’s application, the project will complete a key segment of the corridor, creating a fully connected transportation route between Interstate 79 and State Route 8. The improvements are expected to reduce crashes by an estimated 61 percent, improve freight mobility, strengthen regional connectivity, and enhance quality of life for residents. Read the full text of the letter here. Dear Secretary Duffy: I am writing to you to express my strong support for Butler County’s application for funding through the Department of Transportation’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways (INFRA) Grant. Located in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Butler County seeks funding in the amount of $50,911,500 for the Mars Railroad Bridge West Project (the Project). The Project will undertake the final 3.25-mile segment of the larger Gateway 228 corridor improvement project. Currently, this current stretch of roadway experiences traffic bottlenecks, safety concerns, and transportation inefficiencies. Gateway 228 serves as a vital commuter route and regional freight corridor that has seen increased traffic congestion and strained transportation infrastructure due to development and population growth in the region. The Project will undertake the completion of the Gateway 228 corridor and create a fully connected transportation corridor between Interstate 79 and State Route 8. By addressing existing concerns with this corridor, crashes will be reduced by an estimated 61%. The Project will improve freight movement and commuter travel throughout the region which will strengthen regional connectivity, enhance quality of life,  and support economic growth and future development in the region. I strongly urge the Department of Transportation to give this application full and favorable consideration.  Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, David H. McCormick United States Senator