HARRISBURG, Pa. — On behalf of Pennyslvania Governor Mark Schweiker, Transportation Secretary Bradley L. Mallory on November 14 announced the release of $3.6 million in state capital budget funds to help five railroads undertake needed infrastructure repairs.
“Economic development, job creation and safer highways are among the results of the smooth and efficient operation of our railroads,” Secretary Mallory said. “These grants provide the capital necessary to maintain and expand essential rail-freight operations in Pennsylvania.”
As an example, Secretary Mallory said the Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad Company has been given $750,000 to replace crossties on track in Berks, Schuylkill, Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. The maintenance project will remove and prevent future speed restrictions permitting faster scheduled rail service. The initiative is projected to create 200 new jobs and help maintain 16,000 other jobs.
Secretary Mallory said Pennsylvania leads the nation with 70 operating railroads. The state ranks fifth in the nation with total track mileage of 5,600 miles.
Other recipients of the capital-budget funding include:
— Philadelphia, Bethlehem and New England Railroad Company, $1.5 million, to construct an intermodal facility in Bethlehem, Northampton County to maximize rail transportation. Seventy-five jobs are expected to be created and 25 maintained;
— Livonia, Avon and Lakeville Railroad, $600,000, for a 100-mile track maintenance project in Warren, Erie and Crawford counties. The work on the Western New York and Pennsylvania mainline between Lottsville and Meadville will allow the railroad to continue service to the area, retaining 211 jobs and creating two new jobs;
— Novolog Bucks County Inc., $520,000, will rehabilitate primary rail routes and yards within the U.S. Steel Industrial Park, Falls Township, Bucks County. This will support the planned growth
in rail traffic and retain 150 jobs;
— Redevelopment Authority of Luzerne County, $260,700, to realign and rebuild track to return the Ashley Street Bridge to service. This is estimated to create 150 new jobs and maintain 500 existing jobs; and
— Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad Co., $750,000, for replacing crossties on the Reading mainline, the Middleport branch and the Lehigh mainline through Bucks, Schuylkill, Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, including the City of Scranton. The maintenance project will allow for faster scheduled service. Completion should result in the creation of 200 new jobs.