HARRISBURG, Pa. — On behalf of Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker, Transportation Secretary Bradley L. Mallory today said that more than $900,000 has been awarded for projects that will help preserve rail- freight service and stimulate economic development across Pennsylvania. The 10 projects are expected to create more than 350 new jobs.
“Railroads and their intermodal transportation connections play an important role in building a strong jobs climate in Pennsylvania,” Secretary Mallory said. “Transportation is an important ingredient in the economic- development mix. Keeping short-line and regional railroads in good operating condition means we’re keeping the freight moving, supporting employers, jobs and families.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Rail Freight Assistance Program funding will be used for the construction, maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of rail lines, rail sidings and grade crossings.
Pennsylvania leads the nation with 70 operating railroads. With 5,600 miles of track, the state ranks fifth in the nation in total track mileage.
A list of recipients and grant amounts follow:
Adams County
— Gettysburg and Northern Railroad Company, $38,895, Gettysburg. Construction of additional yard track off of the west leg of the Gettysburg and Northern wye will permit increased car volume at the Cadbury plant;
Beaver County
— Pittsburgh Intermodal Terminals Inc., $100,000, Ambridge Borough. The maintenance project involves replacement of cross ties, switch ties and turnouts, and rebuilding track within the Port Ambridge Industrial Park;
Carbon County
— Carbon County Railroad Commission, $79,275. The project involves raising, lining and surfacing track in Jim Thorpe, Nesquehoning and Hauto in Carbon County, and Hauto, Hometown and Rush in Schuylkill County;
Huntingdon County
— Mount Union Connecting Railroad Company, $158,844, Shirley Township. Track will be rehabilitated to permit shipment of raw materials by rail to a new plastic bag manufacturing plant at the Riverview Business Center. The project is expected to create 137 new jobs;
Luzerne County
— Bisconti Distribution Center, $99,200, City of Wilkes-Barre and Plains Township. A truck transloading area will be rehabilitated, a railroad spur will be leveled and re-tamped, and an access road to the distribution warehouse will be paved. The project is expected to create 40 new jobs;
Lycoming County
— Fisher Mining Company, $84,399, Williamsport. Unit coal trains will be able to serve the company’s Williamsport facility as a result of the track renewal maintenance project. The project is expected to create three new jobs;
Monroe County
— Monroe County Railroad Authority, $151,110, Stroud Township, Borough of East Stroudsburg in Monroe County and Delaware Water Gap and Bethel Township in Northampton County. A passing siding will be rehabilitated to be used as an interchange track between the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad and Norfolk Southern Corporation. The project is expected to create 40 new jobs;
Northumberland County
— Moran Industries Inc., $75,065, Watsontown Borough and Delaware Township. A main track switch in Norfolk Southern’s rail line to serve Moran Industries’ warehouse facility at the former Philco Ford/Zenith manufacturing plant. Twenty-five new jobs will be created;
Philadelphia County
— Delaware River Stevedores Inc., $41,300, Philadelphia. A rail siding will be constructed at Pier 122 of the Greenwich Yard to increase the efficiency of terminal transloading operations. Eight new jobs will be created; and
York County
— Bowater Incorporated/Nuwater Paper, $74,375, York. A new railroad siding will be constructed to serve the Nuway Paper Company in the West Manchester Corporate Center. The project is expected to create 100 new jobs.