On any given day, Keith Mull has more than 28,000 chances for a potential customer to spot his family’s auto dealership along Routes 11-15 in Hummels Wharf.

The intense traffic, especially during peak times — over lunch and in the evening — is the main reason his father purchased the property 12 years ago.

His dealership’s visibility got even better last summer with the development of Monroe Marketplace right across the road.

But it all could be lost if the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway — the long-anticipated, $525 million project — continues to gain steam in landing the necessary government funding and comes to fruition.

Mull’s Auto Sales could lose up to 30 percent of its business, according to Mull, sales manager.

“The more traffic, the better it is for our business,” said Mull, adding the dealership gets one-third of its business from through traffic. “It’s that simple.”

Mull said the dealership generates good business from impulse buyers, who are mostly travelers passing through the Valley. The bypass, designed to detour transient traffic from Selinsgrove around Routes 11-15 in Monroe Township and Shamokin Dam to Route 147 in Point Township, will cost the dealership 20 to 30 sales a month, Mull added.

The dealership routinely sells 50 to 70 cars a month, Mull said.

“They drive by our lot, see something they like and stop in,” Mull said of transient customers. “A lot of times we’re signing paperwork and a buyer will say they weren’t planning on buying a car. They saw it when they drove by and couldn’t resist.”



Project’s revival

Last month, Gov. Edward G. Rendell breathed life back into the Thruway project when he announced $9 million had been secured for the final design, necessary studies and permits for the north extension from Route 15 south of Winfield across the Susquehanna River to Route 147.

The latest funding allocation will cover the design of a large bridge linking Route 147 and Route 15 at Winfield and the design of nine other smaller bridges, as well as finish environmental permits and studies.

The Thruway project has been on the drawing board for three decades and actively pursued by local government and economic development officials for the past 10 years.

Proponents say the Thruway would not only alleviate traffic congestion along the Routes 11-15 strip and Route 147 intersection in Northumberland, but also provide an economic boost in attracting business along the new highway, bringing in much-needed jobs and commerce.

The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce agrees and cites proof from a 2003 study prepared by The Associated Pennsylvania Constructors about Pennsylvania’s transportation needs. The association’s 450 company members perform 90 percent of the state Department of Transportation’s highway and bridge construction, as well as work with local governments and other transportation facility owners.

Among the study’s highlights include a report on how the completion of the 12-mile Mon-Fayette Expressway in western Pennsylvania attracted 14 companies, $32 million in private investment and 694 jobs to Fayette and Washington counties.



A business perspective

Pat Hess, owner of Colonial Candlecrafters south of Lewisburg along Route 15, sees the value of the bypass and positive effect it would have on traffic congestion. However, she still has several concerns from a business perspective.

“When and if the Thruway becomes a reality, care must be given to the business along Route 15 and the strip that have paid taxes, provided jobs and supported the local communities,” said Hess, adding that 80 percent of her business over the summer is from transient customers. “For the greater good, I understand why the bypass is necessary. Speaking for myself, as a business owner, I certainly don’t want less people at my front door.”

According to Hess, the Thruway won’t guarantee economic prosperity. Bypassing traffic off Route 15 away from Lewisburg and Mifflinburg could be hurtful to those downtown markets, Hess said.

Evidence can be seen in Mansfield, she added.

“Route 15 used to go right through there, and now it’s a ghost town,” Hess said of the effect of the Appalachian Thruway in Tioga County. “There you have a college town that couldn’t survive. All there is now is a Harley-Davidson dealership and Wal-Mart. Who is going to take responsibility if these places become ghost towns?”

Mull is more concerned about the immediate effect of the Thruway if it is ever built, particularly because the dealership has tripled in business since moving from Middleburg to Routes 11-15, undoubtedly because of the intense traffic.

Even the development of the Routes 11-15 business strip has helped the car dealership, especially the recent installation of a traffic signal for Monroe Marketplace’s main entrance.

Vehicles are stopped countless times a day right in front of Mull’s lot filled, with 65 vehicles waiting for the red light to turn green.

“What else is there to do but look over at the cars,” Mull said. “It’s been great, but all of our gain made in the last 12 years will be lost with the Thruway.”

-- E-mail comments to jnorth@dailyitem.com.