Parking areas of the landmark Teddy's restaurant, in North Huntingdon, will undergo an "extreme makeover" during a Route 30 modification project associated with construction of the Mills Pointe retail plaza.

Township planners Monday night approved TDK Inc.'s applications to consolidate two existing parking lots and a site plan for a revised parking arrangement.

Final approval by commissioners is expected this month.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation plans to exercise eminent domain of its right of way along Route 30 to permit DeBartolo Development to begin an extensive highway modification project.

Teddy's signature pylon sign and about 600 feet of the existing parking area are within the right of way.

"PennDOT now requires the consent of any property owner abutting a state road when modifications are made to the road," said Andy Blenko, township planning director. "That can take time."

Tom and Tara Watson, current owners of the popular restaurant, must sign off before DeBartolo can begin work. Teddy's opened in late 1940 as a Howard Johnson's Restaurant and Ice Cream Shoppe.

Jeff W. Graves, DeBartolo construction manager, confirmed that delays have cost PennDOT a $1.3 million federal highway grant it had planned to use for the modifications.

DeBartolo plans to construct about 400 feet of curbing along Route 30.

Motorists exiting the parking lots won't be permitted to cross two westbound lanes to turn left onto Route 30.

Motorists entering and exiting Teddy's will have to do so at a traffic signal at the relocated Barnes Lake Road intersection.

Mr. Graves, who attended the meeting, said DeBartolo will pay for modifications to Teddy's lots. These will include a "figure-eight" traffic pattern, with some traffic flow going behind the restaurant, and a new sign.

"Customers who have been eating at Teddy's for decades will not recognize the site improve- ments," Mr. Graves said.

"I feel what DeBartolo plans to do will be great for our restaurant," Mr. Watson said. "While Teddy's has been a Norwin destination for years, I think people will like the changes."

The Watsons and Mr. Graves reportedly reached accord on a tentative agreement, which must be approved by DeBartolo corporate officials in Tampa, Fla.

The highway modification project will include relocation of Barnes Lake Road to create a new intersection with Route 30. The existing Barnes Lake Road intersection will be eliminated.

A Rhonda Court/Rocky Way intersection will be created to be the center's main entrance.