After a few false starts, construction of a new commercial plaza on one of Cranberry's busiest stretches of highway is to begin within a few weeks.

The busy-ness of Route 19, where Oak Tree Place is to be situated, contributed to the development's travails, said Cranberry Planning Director Ron Henshaw.

Oak Tree Place is being built on eight acres near Dutihl Road, the site of the former Oak Tree Motel.

The troubles included a series of changes in major tenants. Cracker Barrel restaurant was to have been an anchor of the site, but it pulled out. Then Golden Corral was in the midst of submitting plans, but it, too, walked away.

"There's no doubt that the delays they faced in getting their approvals from [the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation] complicated things," Mr. Henshaw said.

But the biggest hurdle was cleared when PennDOT last month granted Walnut Capital Partners, of Shadyside ,a highway occupancy permit for the Oak Tree Place development. The permit will allow the developer direct access to Route 19. Without it, Cranberry could not grant the final building permits needed to begin construction.

The permit application process often is difficult for developers who want to build along busy highways such as Route 19, Mr. Henshaw said.

Supervisors gave initial approval to the plan in April 2008, but it has been adjusted since then. The most recent change involved elimination of a drive-through window at a proposed Starbucks. The coffee chain pulled out of the project after deciding to halt expansion in dozens of locations across the country.

Building permits for a Mexican restaurant, Chipotle, and an Aspen Dental office are about to be issued by the township. Also in the queue are Sawa Japanese Steakhouse and Five Guys Burger and Fries.

Walnut Capital will be required to seek township approval of whatever tenant is found for the Cracker Barrel/Golden Corral site. "It's a big part of the development, but they have a lot left that they can proceed with and that's what they're doing," Mr. Henshaw said.