Pennsylvania ponies up $35.9 million for 39 freight-rail improvement projects

The State Transportation Commission has approved the allocation of $35.9 million for 39 freight-rail projects, including 26 through the Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP) and 13 through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP), Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett announced on Friday.

Managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, RTAP is a capital budget grant program funded with bonds and RFAP is underwritten through the state's new multi-modal fund.

"We have continued investments in Pennsylvania’s rail network because it helps keep our transportation assets strong as a whole. Since January 2011, we've invested over $167 million in rail," said Corbett in a press release. "Ensuring that these facilities and assets are ready to meet consumer demands is vital to keeping our state competitive."

The allocations through RTAP include:
• $5 million to the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Co. to construct a bridge across the Lehigh River and 1,200 feet of new connecting track;
• $4.3 million to R. J. Corman Railroad Group to install cross and switch ties, renew several grade crossings, install bridge ties and perform other trackwork;
• $3.2 million to Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Co. to install 14.5 miles of continuous-welded rail in the Pittsburgh Subdivision;
• $2 million to Buffalo Pittsburgh Railroad Inc. to complete trackwork between Kittanning and New Castle to restore the Chewton and Mosgrove West sidings, and provide 11,400 feet of additional siding capacity;
• $1.9 million to the Allegheny Valley Railroad Co. to rehabilitate the 36th Street bridge to increase its weight capacity and reduce a curve;
• $713,020 to Pittsburgh Ohio Central Railroad to realign track, construct 4,460 feet of new track, build a turnout and create a second long track in Scully Yard; and
• $701,960 to Union Railroad to repair the approaches on the north and south portals to the railroad’s North Bessemer Tunnel.

The allocations through RFAP include:
• $700,000 to Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway to install 60,800 feet of continuous-welded rail, 10,000 new ties and four turnouts;
• $634,106 to Conrail Corp. to install ties and timbers, and surface 27,081 feet of track in three Philadelphia-area locations;
• $489,636 to  the Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad to replace a turnout, ties and 8,960 feet of rail, and complete other track improvements;
• $448,078 to the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad L.L.C. to repair a railroad bridge, including timber repairs and replacements, and track approach work;
• $353,500 to Lehigh Railway L.L.C. to rehabilitate, raise, line and surface sidings at the Wyalusing Terminal; and
• $295,942 to the Hollidaysburg & Roaring Spring Railroad to repair two bridges and improve public crossings.

To access a list of all the recipients, follow this link.