Pennsylvania 12-year plan includes $228 million for freight-rail projects

Pennsylvania's State Transportation Commission (STC) has updated the state's 12-year plan to make $64.8 billion available for improvements to railroads, transit systems, roads, bridges and airports, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced yesterday.

The newly adopted program, which takes effect Oct. 1, anticipates the following funding availability in the first four years from federal, state and local sources:
• $11.4 billion for state highways and bridges;
• $9.4 billion for public transit;
• $321 million for multimodal projects;
• $228 million for freight rail; and
• $138 million for aviation.

The program is a multimodal tool to identify and prioritize Pennsylvania's transportation projects and the funds needed to complete them. State law requires the STC to update the program every two years.

"Investments in transportation are critical for keeping our communities connected to the global economy," said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian.

Public input in the 12-year planning process played a key role in identifying investments in the various transportation modes, PennDOT officials said.