(The Patriot-News published the following story by Frank Cozzoli on its website on July 2.)
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Conductors aren’t set to bark “all aboard!” but the return of regional rail to Harrisburg is just around the bend.
Preliminary engineering has begun on a 41-mile stretch of CorridorOne, the first phase of a regional rail system.
Initial service between Lancaster and Harrisburg is expected to be launched in December 2005.
“Today marks another milestone in our quest to make regional rail a reality,” said Dick Miller, board chairman of Capital Area Transit.
Supporters expect service to be extended the full 41 miles to just east of Mechanicsburg in July 2007. Expansion to Carlisle would be completed in 2009.
Overall, CorridorOne will stretch 56 miles between Lancaster and Carlisle.
Rail advocates envision expanding the system with CorridorTwo, which would link York, Harrisburg, Hershey and Lebanon.
Officials have estimated the cost of bringing service between Lancaster and the West Shore at $75.8 million.
John Ward, president of CAT’s Modern Transit Partnership, said the price is roughly the cost of building three new miles of interstate highway.
Preliminary engineering, which will cost $4 million and take 15 months to complete, will identify station locations and adjust construction costs.
Robert J. Dietz, executive vice president of Gannett Fleming, said the process will include public input and the business community. He hopes to gain financial support.
Advocates say a regional rail line will ease traffic congestion and make the region economically competitive.
“I think this is exactly the type of vision all of our leaders must have to address the congestion,” said Cumberland County Commissioner Nancy Besch.
According to studies, the region’s population will grow by 27 percent over the next 17 years.
“Central Pennsylvania is ready for regional rail,” Ward said. “Not only do we need it, many people have already confirmed they will ride it.”
Indeed, three of four midstaters surveyed in the past have said they would ride the system.
A computer projection approved by the Federal Transit Administration has estimated initial daily ridership at 3,400.
Preliminary engineering is slated for completion next summer, at which point a financial plan must be in place.
Without one, the transit administration won’t approve funding for construction.
Ward said the total operating costs has been estimated at $33 million.
About $18 million of that is already in place from Amtrak, CAT and Red Rose Transit.