Pennsylvania issues $31.3 million in freight-rail project funding

Pennsylvania's State Transportation Commission has approved $31.3 million for freight-rail improvement projects through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program, Gov. Tom Wolf announced yesterday.

The projects are designed to improve freight mobility while creating or sustaining more than 200 jobs across Pennsylvania.

"Investing in our state's rail system creates jobs and supports efficient freight travel," said Wolf in a press release. "These investments help us build a world-class infrastructure system and support the business community."

Following is a list of recipients and projects that will receive more than $1 million in state funds:

• CSX, $8.4 million, to replace a tunnel to permit routing of double-stack container and multilevel auto rack traffic to and from the Port of Philadelphia;
• Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad, $4.7 million, to replace three through-truss bridges and rehabilitate two abutments on a through-girder bridge;
• R. J. Corman Railroad Group, $3 million, to replace 7,500 ties and 74,000 feet of rail on worn areas of its Cherry Tree and Cresson subdivisions;
• Boyd Station, $2.6 million, to expand its rail infrastructure and construct four new tracks and install unloading equipment;
•  York Railway Co., $2.1 million to replace 1.2 miles of jointed rial with continuous-welded rail, including the rehabilitation of seven turnouts and 10 public grade crossings;
• Gettysburg and Northern Railroad, $1.5 million, to replace 2,600 ties and 3,3156 feet of rail on its mainline, and improve three grade crossings;
• Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad, $1.3 million to construct a 3,900-foot siding to expand capacity and replace 7,440 feet of rail and 1,550 ties; and
• Union Railroad Co., $1 million to repair the Port Perry Bridge.