WEST CHESTER (January 12, 2021) – A project to improve rail freight mobility in Chester County will receive more than $500,000 in state funding, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
The State Transportation Commission voted today to approve $500,500 in funding for the East Penn Railroad, LLC to improve track conditions in Chester and Bucks counties. The project calls for replacing approximately 4,500 ties on the Wilmington Northern line and 2,000 ties on the Quakertown line, at a total cost of $715,000.
“These funds will help ensure that our rail freight system operates safely and efficiently, while supporting our economy, bringing goods to market, and relieving local roads of traffic and truck congestion,” Comitta said.
“Investing in our state’s rail system creates jobs and supports efficient freight travel,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “These investments help us build a world-class infrastructure system and support the business community.”
The East Penn Railroad project comes as part of $31.3 million approved to support 26 rail improvement projects statewide through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and the Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).
In total, the projects will create or sustain more than 200 jobs across Pennsylvania, Wolf said.
Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads, which is more than any other state. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is committed to working with private rail operators and rail-served businesses to construct new rail lines and assist in maintaining and improving Pennsylvania’s roughly 5,600 miles of freight lines.
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