With a cut of the ribbon, the newest stretch of highway in Hazle Township is open.
The 1.1-mile extension of Route 424 connects the Humboldt Industrial Park to Interstate 81.
"It's a wonderful day to open this road, especially in advance of the winter, giving people another option to access I-81," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.
"Route 424 is also known as the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Beltway. It's one of three main roads that surround the Humboldt Industrial Park. The other roads are Interstate 81 and Route 924.
"The usage of the park from 924 at the Hazleton exit off 81 is oversubscribed, and the traffic is a challenge, so this new highway will relieve traffic on 924 and allow for easier movement of traffic onto I-81," explained Carroll.
Traffic on Route 924, just outside of the industrial park, has historically been a headache. PennDOT officials say the new beltway extension will help relieve traffic.
"This will hopefully make our areas and interchanges in the area safer, now that this acts as a relief for more trucks to use," said Richard Roman, executive with PennDOT District 4.
PennDOT officials say contractors were able to finish the project one year ahead of schedule. They say it's perfect timing since more warehouses and truck traffic are expected in the Greater Hazleton Area.
"Plans for over 30 million square feet of distribution centers planned through the end of this decade, and when there are numbers of that size, they have to have proper access for truck movement, employees, and this road will help them get to and from locations," said Roman.
From design to construction, the total project cost $23 million.