Study: Completed Route 219
Could Mean Nearly 3,000 Jobs
Nearly 3,000 jobs will be created by the expansion and completion of Route 219, according to a study released today.
Dr. Shailendra Gajanan's study estimates that more than 1,700 new jobs will be added in Erie and Cattaraugus counties in New York, and in McKean, Clearfield and Jefferson counties in Pennsylvania related to construction. An estimated 1,200 additional new jobs will be created due to direct or indirect effects of the expansion.
"In recent years, there has been a growing interest to study the economic impact of trade corridors," Gajanan said. "Several groups in North America, Latin America and Europe have started focusing on the positive spillover effects of expanding corridors and realizing the importance of funding for corridors development."
The study also suggests that, over 20 years, the completion of Continental 1 (Route 219) will increase the Gross Regional Product in Pennsylvania and New York by $200 million, with most of the impact in Erie, Cattaraugus, McKean, Clearfield and Jefferson counties. The impact would be $123 million, according to the study.
Other manjor benefits detailed in the study include travel time savings; vehicle operating cost savings; and emission reductions. As for travel time savings, over a 16-year period, 433 billion hours would be saved on delay time.
"Of the most relevant studies is the 'Economic Benefits of Developing the US 219 International Trade Corridor' that was presented at a congressional hearing held in Buffalo in October of 1996," Gajanan added. "The general conclusion then was that the investment in US 219 generated considerable benefits to the surrounding communities, business and homeowners. Now more than 12 years later, this is still proven to be true."
A study conducted in 2007 for PennDOT affirmed the economic benefits of the 1996 study.
Continental 1's full report is due out next month and will include the impact on safety, tourism and other issues.
Gajanan is an associate professor of economics at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Dr. Shailendra Gajanan's study estimates that more than 1,700 new jobs will be added in Erie and Cattaraugus counties in New York, and in McKean, Clearfield and Jefferson counties in Pennsylvania related to construction. An estimated 1,200 additional new jobs will be created due to direct or indirect effects of the expansion.
"In recent years, there has been a growing interest to study the economic impact of trade corridors," Gajanan said. "Several groups in North America, Latin America and Europe have started focusing on the positive spillover effects of expanding corridors and realizing the importance of funding for corridors development."
The study also suggests that, over 20 years, the completion of Continental 1 (Route 219) will increase the Gross Regional Product in Pennsylvania and New York by $200 million, with most of the impact in Erie, Cattaraugus, McKean, Clearfield and Jefferson counties. The impact would be $123 million, according to the study.
Other manjor benefits detailed in the study include travel time savings; vehicle operating cost savings; and emission reductions. As for travel time savings, over a 16-year period, 433 billion hours would be saved on delay time.
"Of the most relevant studies is the 'Economic Benefits of Developing the US 219 International Trade Corridor' that was presented at a congressional hearing held in Buffalo in October of 1996," Gajanan added. "The general conclusion then was that the investment in US 219 generated considerable benefits to the surrounding communities, business and homeowners. Now more than 12 years later, this is still proven to be true."
A study conducted in 2007 for PennDOT affirmed the economic benefits of the 1996 study.
Continental 1's full report is due out next month and will include the impact on safety, tourism and other issues.
Gajanan is an associate professor of economics at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
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