Three Key Facts:
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- $69 million from the Biden-Harris infrastructure law is funding a portion of the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT), bringing the project one step closer to completion.
- The CVST is fueling economic growth by improving transportation efficiency.
- The southern section of the CVST will open by 2027.
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The Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway (CSVT) is a step closer to completion after receiving a $69 million investment from the Biden-Harris infrastructure law. The money was awarded through a rural grant program of the U.S. Department of Transportation and is funding a portion of construction in the “southern section” of the project – approximately 6.1 miles of new highway connecting Selinsgrove to Winfield. The southern section is set to open in 2027.
The “northern section” of the highway opened in 2022. PennDOT reports that the new highway is carrying roughly 16,000 vehicles per day, including 3,800 trucks. Progress is already apparent: traffic on nearby Route 15 is down 35%, and truck traffic on Route 405 is down 75%.
The southern section, currently under construction, will create a more direct route for local residents and businesses, connecting Selinsgrove to Route 15 and further reduce traffic. According to PennDOT, the entire $938 million project is expected to be completed by 2028.
Economic Benefits
The CSVT project is expected to drive economic growth in central Pennsylvania, especially in the manufacturing and agriculture sectors
For the region’s thriving agriculture sector, including dairy and crop farms, faster routes to market mean fresher products and reduced transportation costs. Farmers will be able to move goods to markets more efficiently, opening new opportunities for local agriculture.
Similarly, manufacturers in Central Pennsylvania, including food processors and heavy machinery producers, will see lower logistics costs and better access to regional and national markets.
Reduced Traffic on Local Roads Welcomed
Beyond the economic impact, the CSVT project will improve quality of life by reducing traffic congestion and increasing safety on local roads. Local officials have praised the project’s progress. According to PennDOT’s District Executive Eric High, “Separating through traffic from local traffic not only reduces congestion and accommodates growth, but also improves safety.
Once the southern section is completed, the Thruway will fully connect Central Pennsylvania’s local roads to major highways, linking Routes 11/15 to Route 15.
