The governor has given the green light for a transportation center in Pottsville. He was in town Friday to announce the project is getting almost $15.5 million from the state and federal governments.
The transportation center has been talked about since 1997.
What's called Pottsville's Intermodal Center will be a central location for buses, taxi's and eventually trains to park.
"We're looking forward to this being the transportation hub for the county, where groups can come in discharge their passengers and go to the local sites, Tuscarora Lake, Yuengling Brewery, Ashland Tunnel, any of the tourist attractions in Schuylkill County," said Pottsville Mayor John Reiley.
The Intermodal Center will replace the small bus terminal a few blocks away. The new center has been in the planning stages for more than 10 years.
According to officials, all of the buildings currently on the site of the Intermodal center will be demolished to make way for the new facility.
Rose Sninsky's late husband, who ran the county-owned bus operation, wanted a new facility. "I know if he was here he would be truly honored that his vision is truly coming to life," Sninsky said.
That vision could also mean some 400 construction jobs to build the facility. Right now, some have to travel hundreds of miles for work.
"Right now I am temporarily unemployed," said Mike Matsago of Tuscarora, who added the center could mean a job closer to home.
Some of the money comes from the Obama administrations stimulus program.
"By taking $5.5 million of that $35 million statewide and devoting it to this project and we now have the $15 plus million to make this project reality," said Governor Ed Rendell.
Ground could be broken sometime this year.
The transportation center has been talked about since 1997.
What's called Pottsville's Intermodal Center will be a central location for buses, taxi's and eventually trains to park.
"We're looking forward to this being the transportation hub for the county, where groups can come in discharge their passengers and go to the local sites, Tuscarora Lake, Yuengling Brewery, Ashland Tunnel, any of the tourist attractions in Schuylkill County," said Pottsville Mayor John Reiley.
The Intermodal Center will replace the small bus terminal a few blocks away. The new center has been in the planning stages for more than 10 years.
According to officials, all of the buildings currently on the site of the Intermodal center will be demolished to make way for the new facility.
Rose Sninsky's late husband, who ran the county-owned bus operation, wanted a new facility. "I know if he was here he would be truly honored that his vision is truly coming to life," Sninsky said.
That vision could also mean some 400 construction jobs to build the facility. Right now, some have to travel hundreds of miles for work.
"Right now I am temporarily unemployed," said Mike Matsago of Tuscarora, who added the center could mean a job closer to home.
Some of the money comes from the Obama administrations stimulus program.
"By taking $5.5 million of that $35 million statewide and devoting it to this project and we now have the $15 plus million to make this project reality," said Governor Ed Rendell.
Ground could be broken sometime this year.
