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.