To: All media
For Immediate Release: September 29, 2006
For additional information, please contact Precision Design at 570-455-3533

Front row: Anthony Matz, Supervisor, Hazle Township; Gary Danish, Board Chairman, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce; Donna Palermo, President, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce; Steve Shimko, P.E., District Executive, PennDOT; State Representative Todd Eachus; State Senator Ray Musto; W. Kevin O’Donnell, President, CAN DO; E. Thomas Sandrock, Board Chairman, CAN DO; Louis Balli, President, Humboldt Park Association.

Second row: Robert Doble, P.E., Assistant District Engineer, PennDOT; Richard Cochrane, P.E., Assistant District Executive, PennDOT, Denise Youorski, PennDOT; Thomas Reilly, President, Reilly Associates; John Spevak, CAN DO; Paul Malone, CAN DO; Gene Rafalli, Luzerne County Manager, PennDOT; Patrick Bartorillo, Vice President, Construction, Pennsy Supply.

Third row: Andrew Nowak, Slusser Brothers; Daniel Davis, KCI Technology; Joseph Durkin, Vice President, Reilly Associates.

HAZLETON - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) officially broke ground today on the first phase of a project that will widen Route 924 from Interstate 81towards the Humboldt Industrial Park from its present two lanes to five and even six lanes at some points.

The start of the much-anticipated project brought cheers from officials of the CAN DO economic development organization and the Humboldt Park Association, which represents businesses and industries in the nearby industrial park.

“We’re very excited to have this project off the drawing board and in progress,” said E. Thomas Sandrock, CAN DO’s chairman. “This project is vital to the expansion of our industrial parks and to the success of our newest venture, Humboldt Station.”

Area and state officials, along with representatives from CAN DO and the Humboldt Park Association, gathered at the site this morning to break ground for the construction project.

The expansion will begin to ease traffic concerns in the area around the Humboldt Industrial Park. Currently, nearly 5,500 people employed by more than 45 industries in Humboldt travel that stretch of Route 924 on a daily basis. The road also provides the sole access to the industrial park for deliveries to and from the companies located there.

The roadwork will widen Route 924 west in Hazle Twp. from just east of the I-81 interchange to just east of the Hazle Twp. Fire Department entrance.

“A reliable and safe transportation system that eases congestion and keeps trade moving helps our region maintain its role as a key player in the nation’s economy. Improving this roadway is just one component - but an important one - in the continued economic development of our area. PennDOT is proud to play a part in this effort,” said Stephen J. Shimko, P.E., district executive, PennDOT District 4-0.

The project will expand the existing roadway from two lanes to five lanes including a center turning lane. An additional left turn lane and right turn lane will be constructed to accommodate traffic entering Barletta Road from both the east and west. Once completed, the roadway in this area will be six-lanes wide. The project also includes new traffic signals and drainage improvements.

“The expansion of this section of Route 924 comes at the perfect time as new industries are looking to locate in Humboldt North, Humboldt East and Humboldt Station,” said W. Kevin O’Donnell, CAN DO’s president, alluding to recent land purchases in Humboldt North by The Coca-Cola Company, Archer Daniels Midland and Gonnella Frozen Products. Sites in Humboldt Station, CAN DO’s first retail/commercial real estate project, are being prepared for construction.

In addition to the work on Route 924, PennDOT will also widen the I-81 exit ramps to include dual turning lanes onto Route 924 westbound.

“I believe this will go a long way in benefiting the area. People get frustrated when the traffic backs up and this will certainly help that. It will also prove beneficial in the future industrial expansion and economic growth of the area,” said Lou Balli, president of the Humboldt Industrial Park Association.

This is the first stage in what will be a three-stage project. PennDOT estimates that phase 1 will be completed in late 2007. Phase 2 of the project will widen the road from where Phase 1 ends to Scotch Pine Dr, with phase 3 widening Route 924 to the Schuylkill County line.

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