Pennsylvania awards funds to 86 multimodal projects

Pennsylvania has awarded $84 million to fund 86 multimodal projects in 35 counties in the state, including nine rail-specific projects.

“All types of transportation drive our economy and ACT 89 gave us the tools to ensure our non-highway modes receive the funding they need to maintain a connected transportation system,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Barry Schoch said. “These are vital investments that underscore Governor [Thomas] Corbett’s dedication to improving transportation in communities across the state.”

In addition to the 86 multimodal projects, PennDOT is investing $7.2 million in Act 89 transit funding for five transit projects that applied for multimodal funding. These grants were made possible by Act 89, which increased transit funding and established dedicated multimodal funding for aviation, passenger rail, freight rail, port and bycicle-pedestrian projects. The project funding comes form three state fiscal years of Act 89. The projects require a 30-percent match from local sources.

The nine rail projects include:

CSX Transportation, Inc., received $1.1 million to improve the intersection of Route 51 (Island Avenue) and Michael Alley/Cutler Street, including the construction of additional roadway, installation of a traffic signal and the addition of a center turn lane.

Colona Transfer, LP, received $1.9 million for upgrades to river cells, dock and rail turnouts and rehabilitation of track for the Colona Transfer facility originally built in the early 1930s.

Value Ambridge Properties will benefit from $105,000, which it will use to update and repair existing rail, crossties, switches and bumpers at the Ambridge Regional Distribution and Manufacturing Center.

Lower Makefield Township will recieve $350,000 to install necessary safety measures at three highway grade crossings to apply to alleviate train noise on a heavily-traveled passenger and freight rail corridor.

SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority will use $3 million to construct a new two-way industrial access road, realign a portion of the Nittany & Bald Eagle Main Line to accommodate the access road and construct new sidings and operating tracks for First Quality Tissue’s two existing facilities and a proposed new facility.

Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County recieved $1 million to construct an 85-car unit train loop track in the Keystone Regional Industrial Park that will connect with an existing Norfolk Southern mainline track and serve a Deerfield Farms Service grain elevator facility.

Ben Weitsman & Sons of New Castle, LLC, will benefit from $204,615, which it will use to remove an existing rail spur and install new rail, crossties and ballast to accommodate operations at the new Ben Weitsman New Castle scrap metal facility.

Biomass Global, LLC, received $2.9 million for rail infrastructure upgrades necessary to support the operation of a new port facility that will receive, store and ship wood pellets for two wood pellet plants.

Johnstown Area Heritage Association will use $848,010 to rehabilitate the Johnstown Passenger Station to serve the needs of Amtrak riders and to house a visitor welcome center for the area.