Keystone Corridor: Investment in Opportunity

Keystone Corridor: Investment in Opportunity
Guest Speakers:
Jennie A. Granger, AICP - Deputy Secretary,
PA Department of Transportation, Multimodal

Robert L. Lund Jr., P.E., Deputy General Manager
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

Kevin Jurgelewicz, Head of Production
AMTRAK

Ian Bowen, Associate Director
EConsult Solutions, INC

TMACC continues to advocate for the advancement of the Keystone Corridor and is proud to provide this Zoominar update. The Keystone continues to provide opportunities growth for Chester County and the communities that it serves. This service is vital to our transportation network.

Econsult Solutions was proud to announce that their clients, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) were awarded a grant of $8,337,500 from the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) State of Good Repair Partnership.

The FRA grant provides 50% of the project funding needed to complete capacity improvements on the Harrisburg Line. Non-federal funds for the $16,675,000 shovel-ready project have been committed by SEPTA, PennDOT, and Amtrak. Econsult Solutions provided a Benefit-Cost analysis for the successful grant application, finding that the anticipated benefits from the project are significantly greater than the cost.

The Harrisburg Line has supported sustained growth of ridership over the past 15 years. The funded improvements will reduce congestion, enhance reliability, and improve safety and travel speed. The ten miles of track to be upgraded traverse the Chester County, PA municipalities of Caln Township, Downington Borough, East Caln Township, West Whiteland Township, and East Whiteland Township, within the 6th Congressional District. The rail line serves Amtrak's Keystone and Pennsylvanian routes, SEPTA's Paoli-Thorndale route, and freight transportation.