Governor Corbett Breaks Ground for State Route 33 Interchange, Discusses Role of Transportation in Building a Strong Pennsylvania Economy

EASTON, Pa., Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett spoke today at the official ground breaking ceremony for the State Route 33 Interchange, near Easton, in Northampton County.

Located off State Route 33, between I-80 and I-78, the new $40 million interchange will be built with funding primarily from Charles Chrin Companies.

The interchange will provide convenient access to and from the Chrin Commerce Center, spanning 800 acres around the interchange that has been approved for warehousing, manufacturing, retail and office space location development.

"This ground breaking today is proof that when government works with the private sector, good things happen for everybody," Corbett said. "Most of all, we are going to see the creation of 5,000 jobs. This commerce center can now grow, and with it, employment, optimism and revenues for the school and community."

The interchange, together with the development of the Chrin Commerce Center, will have a significant economic impact on the region. Currently the largest economic development project in Northampton County, the center is expected to create over 5,000 jobs and more than $16 million for local taxes.

"The primary financing here is not coming from the taxpayers," Corbett said. "The private sector is investing in this interchange, putting forward almost all of the financing to complete the project."

"And when it's done, Charles Chrin Companies is handing over ownership to the Department of Transportation and to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania."

The commonwealth is contributing a total of $3.5 million in state dollars to the project.

"This cooperation is bold, creative and speaks to my own administration's commitment to making certain that we work with the private sector in ways that benefit everybody," Corbett said.

Corbett also discussed the importance of developing a long-term solution for transportation in Pennsylvania and the role that plan will play in building a strong Pennsylvania economy.

"I will be unveiling a transportation funding plan with my upcoming budget proposal," Corbett said. "To build and support a strong economy, our transportation system has to be the best possible. But we have to finance it responsibly, without further burdening today's taxpayers or leaving the bill for a future generation."

Corbett was joined at today's ceremony by several federal, state and local officials who were involved in the project, including Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), chairman of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

For more information, visit www.pa.gov.

Media contact:  Governor's Press Office, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

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http://www.governor.state.pa.us