Kelly calls for Butler County Gateway 228 funding in request to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) announced his support for Butler County's funding request to the U.S. Department of Transportation infrastructure for rebuilding America (USDOT INFRA) for the Gateway 228 - Mars RR Bridge Extension Project. The funds would support the final phase of this critical transportation project connecting southern Butler County, which is one of the fastest-growing regions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Kelly has been a champion of the Gateway 228 project at the federal level, securing two highly competitive B.U.I.L.D. (Better Utilization Investments to Leverage Development) grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2018 and 2020 totaling $45 million for the project.

"The Gateway 228 project is in the homestretch, and this funding will help to complete this final portion of roadway connecting communities across southern Butler County," said Rep. Kelly. "From Cranberry Township to Valencia, completing work along Route 228 is essential for local residents and local businesses. I want to thank Secretary Duffy and the Trump administration for supporting this vital project over the years. I look forward to seeing the final product soon."

As of June 2026, ten of the 11 roadway segments in Gateway 228 have been completed or are under construction for a total investment of $184 million.

You can read Rep. Kelly's full letter here.

BACKGROUND

This final segment, known as the "Mars RR Bridge Extension" will connect the previously completed segments and will widen SR 288 between SR 3021 Franklin Road (west) to tie into the newly constructed Pittsburgh Street Intersection Improvement project (east), totaling 3.25 miles of construction. Investment in Route 228 has significant consequences including the generation of jobs, income and business opportunities, and access to formerly isolated areas throughout the region.

In 2024, Kelly toured State Route 228 with officials from PENNDOT to learn more about the progress. This letter of support follows years of collaborative bipartisan efforts between Kelly, Butler County officials, and state leaders.