Pennsylvania state grants to help 24 freight rail projects

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Carload Express

The Pennsylviania State Transportation Commission has approved nearly 18.6 million for 24 freight rail projects, which will improve rail access, upgrade rail infrastructure and provide repairs.

“Pennsylvania has the highest number of short rail lines in the country, which helps keep goods moving and our economy going,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett said. “When we invest in these rail projects, we help ensure a solid infrastructure is in place to support the jobs relying on these services.”

Of the grants, $13.2 million will be distributed through the Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance Program and $5.3 million will come from the state Rail Freight Assistance Program. The grants leverage $6.8 million in local investments.

Authorized by the general assembly, the grants are administered by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports and Waterways.

The projects to receive funding are as follows by county:

Allegheny County: Allegheny Valley Railroad Co. – $1.6 million for the final phase of Glenwood Yard reconstruction.

Fayette County: Fay-Penn Industrial – $1.2 million to rehabilitate track on the Southwestern Pennsylvania Railroad’s FM&P subdivision line.

Indiana and Jefferson counties: Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad – $2.1 million to rehabilitate track in the Riker Yard and to expand track in Homer City.

Lycoming County: SEDA-COG – $3.5 million to replace a railroad bridge over Loyalsock Creek that was destroyed as a result of flooding in 2011.

McKean County: American Refining Group, Inc. – $1.9 million to rehabilitate 3,700 feet of track and add new loading racks for the refining facility.

Tioga County: D&I Silica – $1.6 million to expand the company’s terminal in Wellsboro.

Washington County: Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway – $1.1 million to construct a new rail siding.

The remaining funds will go toward track expansion and rehabilitation, bridge replacement, construction of new rail spurs and sidings.

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