HARRISBURG – State Senators Gene Yaw (R-23) and John Gordner (R-27) today joined Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Barry J. Schoch, District 3-0 Executive Sandra Tosca, local legislators, government officials and business leaders at the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce (GSVCC) to applaud a new law authorizing over half-billion dollars towards the completion of the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway Project (CSVT).
During the afternoon press conference, Sec. Schoch announced that the Corbett Administration will allocate approximately $558 million dollars for the Valley’s 12.4 mile project over the next decade. The project was included as part of the bipartisan transportation funding plan approved last week by the General Assembly that increases Pennsylvania’s annual transportation investment by $2.415 billion over five years.
“After forty years of false starts, the CSVT will soon become a reality,” Yaw said. “This is a smart, strategic transportation investment in our region that will create hundreds of jobs and bring relief to thousands of motorists traveling daily along US 11/15. As one of those motorists, I have no doubt that the planned thruway will provide for a safer interstate system by relieving traffic congestion, improving the flow of goods and services throughout the region, and benefiting the environment by reducing auto emissions.”
The project will consist of the construction of a four-lane divided, limited access highway beginning at the existing Selinsgrove Bypass stub of US 11/15 and extending North. The plan also includes construction of a one-mile bridge spanning across the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, between Winfield and Point Township, and ending at the PA 45 Interchange on PA 147.
During the press conference, Yaw also applauded the partnership displayed by local legislators and area business leaders. “Our local delegation is strong,” Yaw added. “This vote was not an easy vote to make, but these legislators were willing to stand up and be counted. If not for the cooperation of our state and local leaders, and especially the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and area businesses, I don’t believe we would be standing here today.”
“As a ‘capacity project,’ the Susquehanna Valley Thruway will solve a number of aggravating traffic congestion issues in Union, Snyder and Northumberland Counties, but more importantly, the SVTP represents the largest single economic development initiative in the history of the Valley,” said Joe McGranaghan, Chairman of the Susquehanna Valley Thruway Task Force. “We thank Senator Yaw for his steadfast support for both this project and for PennDOT’s ‘Decade of Investment.’ We join him in looking forward to breaking ground, beginning construction, and finally making this much needed project a reality.”
CONTACT:
Arnie Kriner
570-322-6457