Pennsylvania approves funds supporting 27 freight projects

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
PennDOT
File photo courtesy of the Office of Governor Tom Wolf

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf approved April 29 funding for 27 rail freight improvement projects that officials say will also create and sustain 255 jobs statewide.

“Keeping goods and services moving across Pennsylvania’s more than 5,000 miles of freight track is vital to the state’s economy,” Gov. Wolf said. “These investments in our rail infrastructure will continue to support business development and create new jobs throughout the state.”

The projects set to receive the highest amount of funding include RJ Corman, operating out of Cambria and Clearfield counties, which is set to receive $2.8 million in funding to rehabilitate roughly 56 miles of track on the WBV subdivision, including the replacement of ties and bridge timbers and surfacing track.

Crawford County’s Ainsworth Pet Nutrition is set to receive $2.3 million to expand rail facilities, construct new siding, and purchase unloading equipment.

American Refining Group, Inc., based in McKean County, is set to gain $2 million in funds to build an additional track and purchase unloading equipment to receive product by rail.

In Allegheny and Washington counties: Allegheny Valley Railroad is expected to receive $1.9 million to rehabilitate about 34 miles of track on the W&P subdivision by raising, lining and resurfacing the track.

Chester County’s Mittal Steel USA Railways is scheduled to gain $1.6 million to rehabilitate a railroad bridge, five turnouts and more than one mile of track to increase yard operation efficiencies.

Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad, located in Fayette County, is set to receive $1.5 million in funds to rehabilitate and improve approximately 2.6 miles of track on the FM&P Subdivision by installing continuous welded rail and realigning and surfacing track.

Another $1.5 million is scheduled to go toward Fayette and Westmoreland counties for work on a  Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation project to improve the Radebaugh Subdivision, including rehabilitating approximately 0.5 miles of track, replacing two turnouts and constructing two sidings.

In Blair County, D Holdings is set to gain $1.4 million to rehabilitate yard tracks at the Hollidaysburg Transload Facility and to build a new siding to serve existing and future businesses.

A complete list of the projects that will receive funding, as well as an outline of their state funding shares, is available to view here.

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