HARRISBURG, Pa. — On behalf of Gov. Mark Schweiker, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) Deputy Secretary for Aviation and Rail Freight Elizabeth S. Voras yesterday launched a tour of nine airports and six rail-freight operations to highlight the economic benefits of intermodal-transportation initiatives in the Commonwealth.
“We’re all aware of the importance of our highway and bridge network,” Voras said. “But too often we take for granted the important role played by aviation and railroads in contributing to Pennsylvania’s total transportation system and the state’s economic vitality.”
Since 1995, the Ridge-Schweiker Administration has distributed more than $120 million in rail-freight assistance grants. An additional $150 million in state and federal funds has been awarded to airports.
“Railroads are playing an increasing role in keeping the freight moving from our communities and employers to the major railroads that carry goods around the nation,” Voras said. “Likewise, air travel is important — critical to moving Pennsylvania’s people and products safely and efficiently.”
Voras said that maintaining and improving large and small airports and short-line and regional railroads is an investment in safety and economic vitality.
The deputy secretary’s itinerary follows:
Thursday, Oct. 10
New Castle Municipal Airport, Lawrence County, where more than $1 million in state and federal funds will be used for land acquisition, obstruction removal and electrical vault construction. A recent PENNDOT study determined that the airport created 37 jobs and contributed an estimated $3.3 million annually to the local economy.
B and D Leasing, Wheatland, Mercer County, where a $98,690 rail freight assistance grant is helping fund a maintenance and construction project. Work consists of relocation of existing track and construction of a turnout and track to serve an intermodal transfer facility. This project is expected to create two new jobs and maintain eight jobs.
Grove City Airport, Mercer County. A $321,100 state and federal grant will be used for obstruction removal and completion of an airport action plan. The PENNDOT study estimated that the airport was responsible for 16 jobs and a contribution of $1.3 million to the local economy.
Friday, Oct. 11
Ames True Temper Inc., Camp Hill, Cumberland County. A $135,625 grant is supporting a maintenance and construction project at the hardware manufacturing and distribution center. Work includes building a turnout, track and unloading facility and rehabilitation of existing track. The project is expected to maintain four jobs and create 150 new jobs.
York Railway Company, York, York County. A maintenance project is being supported by a $244,860 grant. Work includes bridge timber replacement and foundation repair and cross ties and switch ties replacement on the mainline. 100 news jobs are expected to be created and 39 retained.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Penn Valley Airport, Selinsgrove, Snyder County. An $85,500 grant is helping finance a road relocation and land acquisition.
Fisher Mining Company, Montoursville, Lycoming County. The $65,000 grant supports construction of a loading and unloading facility to allow Fisher Mining to transport bulk commodities by rail. The project should create two new jobs and maintain 34 jobs.
Don Cotner Farms, Danville, Northumberland County. The $100,000 grant is being used to construct a turnout and siding that will facilitate the delivery and purchase of agricultural commodities by Canadian Pacific Railway. The project should create five new jobs and maintain 29 jobs.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Bradford County Airport, Towanda, Bradford County. A $661,683 state and federal grant will be used for land acquisition, for the design of a 100,000 square foot apron and separate storage facility, to remove runway obstructions and to apply crack seal, seal coat and apron striping.
Mifflin County Airport, Reedsville, Mifflin County. A $28,500 state and federal grant will be used for land acquisition.
Friday, Oct. 25
Coopers Creek Chemical Corporation, West Conshohocken, Montgomery County. A $61,550 grant will be used to rehabilitate an existing siding and to construct a new loading/unloading facility for handling coal tar and related commodities. The project will retain 18 jobs and annually remove more than 590 tanker trucks carrying hazardous materials from the highway system.
Doylestown Airport, Doylestown, Bucks County. A $665,000 state and federal grant will be used to rehabilitate a hangar taxi lane and to conduct the second phase of an airport master plan.
Friday, Nov. 1
Venango Regional Airport, Franklin, Venango County. A $2.5 million grant will be used to complete a wildlife hazard assessment, remove runway approach obstructions, rehabilitate runway, acquire land and improve runway safety area.
Corry-Lawrence Airport, Corry, Erie County. Funds from a $95,000 grant will be used to acquire land for relocating the runway protection zone and to remove runway obstructions.
Clearfield-Lawrence Airport, Clearfield, Clearfield County. A $1.3 million grant will be used for runway rehabilitation, taxiway construction and obstruction removal.