(The following story by Deborah M. Todd appeared on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette website on December 27.)
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Allegheny Valley Railroad Co. has received a state grant of more than $1 million to make repairs to three of its bridges.
Gov. Ed Rendell announced last week that Allegheny Valley would receive $1,021,667 as part of a $20 million statewide investment in rail freight. Mr. Rendell hopes the grants to seven railroads and five businesses will improve the flow of traffic and spark economic revitalization for surrounding communities.
“Dependable rail service helps businesses expand their markets, and this investment will help create and maintain jobs in communities throughout the commonwealth,” he said in a news release. “Moving products by rail also lowers the number of trucks on roadways, which in turn reduces the wear and tear on our state’s highways, relieves traffic congestion and improves air quality.”
Russell Peterson, president of Allegheny Valley, said the funds would go toward replacing bridge timbers on the Allegheny River Bridge, which is 4,265 feet from 33rd Street in Pittsburgh to Millvale. He also said funds would be used to rebuild a railroad junction for lines to Bakerstown and New Kensington and to repair two smaller bridges that cross Pine Creek on Route 8.
Mr. Peterson noted that the grant comes at a time when the Allegheny River Bridge has a much higher volume of traffic, so repairs will be necessary to ensure it continues to operate at its safest level.
“The Allegheny Valley Railroad recently connected with the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroads at Bruceton [in South Park], and with Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad at Bakerstown [in Hampton]. The bridge, therefore, is now a through route between railroads and the traffic is increased,” he said.
“The repairs we’ll be making on the tracks and on the bridge will be good for 25 years and will provide for safe movement on the bridge.”
Mr. Peterson said the company expects to receive the funding and begin work in August.