Pennsylvania applies for $1.6 million for high-speed rail planning study
Written by jrood
February 14, 2001 Pennsylvania has applied for a $1.6-million federal grant from the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program to study possible expansion of rail service between Ohio and New York State through Erie, Governor Edward G. Rendell said. If selected for the federal grant, PennDOT will invest $400,000 in state funds to complete the study.
"The Lake Erie
Corridor has significant public support for its potential to expand rail
service among Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and points beyond," Governor
Rendell said. "This application shows Pennsylvania’s commitment to
maintaining and expanding our intercity rail infrastructure by increasing
efficiency and reducing road congestion.
The Lake Erie Corridor
Investment Plan would examine potential infrastructure improvements to allow
for fast, reliable passenger rail transportation. A Service Development Plan
and environmental planning will help determine the feasibility of expanding the
service. A cost/benefit analysis will also be performed, serving as the basis
for a potential cooperative agreement among the states and local officials in
finding funding for the improvements.
The corridor connects
Erie with Cleveland, Ohio, and Buffalo, N.Y., and is now served by Amtrak’s
Lake Shore Limited service, which provides one train in each direction each day
between Chicago, New York City and Boston.
The Federal Railroad
Administration in March announced the availability of $115 million for
high-speed rail projects, $50 million for planning and $65 million for
construction projects. The funding is part of President Obama’s commitment to
invest in efficient, high-speed passenger rail to address the nation’s
transportation challenges.
