Keystone corridor gets $24.3 million to boost speeds

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have signed a $24.3 million grant agreement, which will allow the state to close the last three highway-rail grade crossings on the Keystone corridor. Eliminating the grade crossings will improve safety and allow future train speeds to increase from 110 mph to 125 mph. "We are committed to the President's vision of a world-class rail network providing fast, efficient and affordable service," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Closing these highway-rail grade crossings will allow travelers along the heavily-used Keystone corridor to enjoy a reduction in their trip time with future train speeds boosted to 125-mph." The Keystone corridor operates between New York, Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pa., and is Amtrak's fourth most heavily traveled route. Since train speeds along the route were increased to 110 mph in 2006, ridership has grown by more than 37 percent to 1,227,075 passengers in 2010. The grants will eliminate grade crossings in Mount Joy Borough, Rapho Township and Leacock Township, all in Lancaster County, Pa. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Amtrak will also contribute a combined $3.4 million for this project. "Closing highway-rail grade crossings eliminates potential accidents," said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo. "We must keep safety at the forefront in the high-speed and intercity passenger rail program." Funding also includes engineering and environmental work for the redesign of track crossings and improvements to train control signal systems.