Executives of two national power brokers said their plans for the Pittsburgh region will depend at least partially on Pennsylvania's decision regarding traffic improvements to Route 228 in Cranberry.

Russ Bussard, manager of facilities and real estate for Westinghouse, said his company could decide to look elsewhere for space for a fourth office building if Route 228 outside its new corporate headquarters in Cranberry isn't improved.

"It will most certainly be a factor," he said of the road project.

Likewise, Kathy Shields, vice president of development for Simon Property Group of Indianapolis, said her company's plans to build an expansive mixed-use shopping center on the opposite side of Route 228 will shrivel unless some version of the road project that's been on the drawing board for seven years moves forward.

"[Route 228 in Cranberry] is the perfect place for a signature development. ... I can't believe the Commonwealth would contemplate abandoning these improvements," she said.

Facing a funding shortfall of between $20 million and $24 million, Cranberry officials recently asked the state Department of Transportation for approval of a "plan B" approach that shaves several key components of the project already approved by PennDOT. The township contends that the plan, though less than ideal, would be sufficient to handle transportation needs for 10 years and would salvage the $65 million that already has been committed to the project.

Joseph Dubovi III, district executive for PennDOT's Indiana-based District 10, said he will not approve a scaled-back plan, nor does the state have the money to close the existing funding shortfall. "Plan B is not acceptable right now to the department. It doesn't do enough [to justify] a $65 million investment," he said.

He added that the state expects the financing gap to be closed by local funds and private investment. The existing $65 million allocation comes from a mix of sources -- $24 million from PennDOT, as well as state economic development funds.

Mr. Dubovi's answer was unacceptable to the dozens of business leaders that crowded a meeting room yesterday morning at the Marriott Hotel on Route 228 in Cranberry, which sits in the shadows of the three-building national headquarters currently under construction by Westinghouse.

Hosted by Cranberry and the township's Chamber of Commerce, the crowd endorsed repeated commitments by a range of speakers who vowed to bring pressure on everyone from the state Legislature to the governor to PennDOT itself.

Mr. Bussard said Westinghouse will support the effort. "When we decided to locate here, we fully expected 228 to be completed, and it was most certainly a part of our decision. What happens on that front will be one thing we'll consider as we decide about another building."

Ms. Shields said her company will wait to see if the lobbying effort takes hold, but she said Simon won't wait forever.

And if it leaves, it takes with it a lot: plans for 650,000 square feet of mixed-use retail, residential and office space on an 80-acre tract on the north side of Route 228 at Interstate 79.

Mr. Dubovi said Plan B doesn't do enough. As proposed, it reduces the project area and delays construction of a loop road from Route 228 to southbound Interstate 79. Intact are plans for intersection improvements along the corridor and an overpass ramp from I-79 to the Simon development, as well as a ramp from westbound Route 228 to northbound 79.

Ms. Shields said Simon may be willing to consider adding to its $2 million commitment to the project but can't cover the entire shortfall. Likewise, Cranberry Manager Jerry Andree said the township may increase its $5 million commitment to a total of $8 million. "If the state won't go with Plan B, then how about Plan C?" he asked.

Increasing traffic capacity on Route 228 had been a PennDOT priority for many years in light of steady, consistent commercial growth in the corridor, which began in 1999 when Mine Safety Appliances began development of its Cranberry Woods office park, where Westinghouse currently is building its new national headquarters.

The next year, the Cranberry Commons shopping center opened across the street on the north side of Route 228. Since then, the Marriott was constructed, followed by a dozen or so restaurants, all in Cranberry. That growth has sparked similar development in Seven Fields and Adams, the municipalities east of the township line.

Given the state's fiscal crunch and PennDOT's recent shift in priority from capacity-building projects to maintenance, money for new construction is sparse and competition for it is fierce.

What precious dollars are out there have to be directed to projects that will deliver a big bang, said Mr. Dubovi. And he said the scaled-back plans don't make a big enough dent in the long-term traffic conditions.

Mr. Andree said the township prefers the more extensive improvements that have been encouraged by PennDOT but he said the state should come to the table with a way to close the funding gap -- "It's their road."