Pennsylvania to make $24.5-million rail investment

Thirty-nine freight rail companies and users can make upgrades and expand capacity with a $24.5-million state investment from PennDOT's Rail Freight Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance and Rail Freight Assistance Programs, Governor Edward G. Rendell said.

"Upgrading and expanding our freight rail lines helps maintain service
and also opens the door to greater business opportunities," Governor
Rendell said. "These investments will help meet growing demand for
freight rail service and also help ease highway congestion by reducing
the number of trucks on our roadways."

The state will invest $15
million from the capital budget program and an additional $9.5 million
from the Rail Freight Assistance Program. The capital budget program is
funded through state capital bond dollars repaid through General Fund
revenues. The Rail Freight Assistance Program is provided through the
state’s General Fund. The grants, which are authorized by the General
Assembly, are administered by PennDOT’s Bureau of Rail Freight.

Larger grants include:

• •
  Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad — $1.4 million to enhance yard
  capacity and efficiency with improvements including tie, track and
  turnout replacement or installation.
• • USS Real Estate Div. of
  USSC — $1.3 million for phase two of track improvements for Mon Valley
  Works, including switch replacement and associated track work.
• •
  Elk County: Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc. — $1.7 million to
  construct a siding and reactivate a bridge over the Clarion River to
  connect to another railroad.
• • Wheeling & Lake Erie
  Railway, Co. — $1 million to rehabilitate concrete pedestal at 40
  locations, replace bridge deck timbers, install bridge approach ties,
  and bridge approach track improvements.
• • NS Dillerville Yard — $3 million to remodel part of the yard, including track, utilities and structural work.
• •
  Stourbridge Railroad — $3.2 million to rehabilitate 23 miles of track,
  including bridge rehabilitation, to bring line up to operating
  standards.