PAULSBORO Officials from across the state will gather Tuesday for an official groundbreaking of the $250 million Port of Paulsboro project.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine and the county Board of Chosen Freeholders will be joined by Mayor John Burzichelli, also a state assemblyman; South Jersey Port Corporation officials and other dignitaries; and business and industry leaders throughout the region.

The long-awaited port project will transform 190 acres along the Delaware River from a brownfield site into a deepwater port that will handle international commerce.

It will include building an access road over Mantua Creek to connect the port directly to Interstate 295 and is currently the largest economic development partnership in South Jersey.

The Port of Paulsboro is anticipated to create as many as 2,000 construction jobs, as well as sustainable economic development opportunities for the county and the region. Hundreds of permanent jobs will also be created once the port is completed, and priority hiring will be given to local residents.