(HARRISBURG) – State Senator Cris Dush (R-25) today applauded the approval of $8.4 million in rail infrastructure improvement grants to benefit the local region.
“Rail freight is a key part of the economy of our region and the entire Commonwealth,” Senator Dush said. “Support of modern, efficient railyards will keep our region competitive for the economic benefits and family-sustaining jobs that rail brings.”
The following projects will receive support:
Clearfield and Cambria counties – RJ Corman Railroad – $3 million to replace approximately 7,500 ties and 74,000 feet of rail on worn areas of its Cherry Tree and Cresson subdivisions.
Clinton County – South Avis Realty Inc. – $391,461 to replace ties and raise, line, and surface its industrial park tracks.
Elk, McKean, and Warren counties – Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc. – $700,000 to replace approximately 44,000 ft. of rail and 2,500 ties and surface the line to maintained 286,000 weight capacity and improve safety.
McKean and Venango counties – Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad – $4.7 million to replace three thru truss bridges and rehabilitate two abutments on a thru-girder bridge
The grants are funded through the state Department of Transportation’s Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP) and the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP). The programs are designed to provide financial assistance for investment in rail freight infrastructure to preserve essential rail freight service where economically feasible and preserve or stimulate economic development through the generation of new or expanded rail freight service.
Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads, which is more than any other state. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is committed to working with private rail operators and rail-served businesses to construct new rail lines and assist in maintaining and improving Pennsylvania’s roughly 5,600 miles of freight lines.
Contact: Cris Dush – cdush@pasen.gov