A Butler County company has won the contract for the next big phase of Route 28 reconstruction, a $21.9 million project to relocate rail lines and make other preparations for improvement of the "death stretch" on the North Side.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation awarded the job to Brayman Construction Corp. of Saxonburg.

This project also calls for upgrading drainage and signals, utility relocation, bridge pier reconstruction at the 31st Street Bridge, and wall and bridge construction along Route 28 from Chestnut Street to the 40th Street Bridge.

PennDOT said work will begin this month and continue through spring 2012. Minor restrictions may occur on Route 28 and River Avenue and a full closure of the 31st Street Bridge for approximately one month will be required at a later date, spokesman Jim Struzzi said.

The project is fully funded by the federal government under the economic stimulus program.

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