Lower Makefield Township lands Pennsylvania funding to create quiet zones

Pennsylvania Rep. Steve Santarsiero and Sen. Chuck McIlhinney recently announced the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has allocated $350,000 for the installation of safety measures at three grade crossings in Lower Makefield Township.

The multimodal transportation program funding will help reinforce vehicle restrictions at the crossings on a heavily traveled passenger- and freight-rail corridor to enable the township to create quiet zones.

"There is no doubt the volume of rail traffic has increased significantly over the past few years. With that has come an increase in the noise associated with train warning horns at the railroad crossings, and this funding will allow Lower Makefield Township to finally make the necessary upgrades to enable the quiet zones," said Santarsiero in a press release.

Santarsiero worked with Lower Makefield Township and McIlhinney to advocate for state funding for the quiet zones, he said. The PennDOT multimodal program provides grants for freight- and passenger-rail, aviation, port and bicycle-pedestrian projects.