A project that just months ago looked as if it wouldn't happen is now ready to move forward in Somerset County

The Route 219 expansion project had lost state funding in January, but thanks to thousands of e-mails from the community, a wintertime rally with hundreds of supporters and a meeting with the governor, the project gained support and momentum.

After Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell learned the project was the only one competing for state dollars that had a federal match, he said they "were insane not to complete it."

Lawmakers, civic leaders and Somerset County business owners were excited about the project, which will expand a 12-mile stretch from Somerset to Meyersdale.

Jon Clapper of Clapper's Industries said his ability to reach his clients has been hampered by the twisting, turning, two-lane road. He said it's sometimes a shipping nightmare, especially in bad weather.

"We've actually in the past had trucking companies that will just refuse to come," Clapper said.

In the early 1970s, a section of the road was expanded into a two-lane highway at a cost of about $1 million per mile. Now, the cost is at least $10 million a mile.

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