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Wawa unveils plans to build new store, joining Sheetz & Rutters in recently expanded Benner Pike are

In Centre County, one stretch of road has become a boomtown for new businesses and officials say more are on the way.

Just outside of Bellefonte, one area of Benner Pike has become another example in the development theory of “if you build it and they will come.”

The it built in this case is the Interstate 99 expansion, and the resulting impact for the area is located just off the I-99 Bellefonte exit.

Not too long ago, there was only one gas station, a bowling alley, and a lot of open space, but that is not the case anymore.

“So, in just a couple of years, we’ve gone from one gas station on Benner Pike to four. Progress may not be the right term for it, but there has been quite a lot of motion, shall we say, in Bellefonte at this point.”

The latest to enter the growing Benner Pike business district is the Wawa convenience store chain.

The company is planning to build a store, across from a Sheetz, and down the street from a Rutters.

It would join a shopping center, other stores, and plans for at least two hotels.

More traffic lights have already been added in the area as well and PennDOT is aware of the increased traffic.

“When the traffic studies come in, the traffic engineers take into account the developments throughout the area.”

Also, still in the planning stages near Benner Pike is the proposed Bellefonte warehouse, a massive project that would cover more than a million square feet and include nearly 700 jobs.

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Lorie Orum

Update: 2024-07-26