Wolf announces agreement to expand passenger-rail access western Pennsylvania

On Monday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) had reached an agreement that would expand passenger rail access in the western part of the state.

The agreement would expand service between Pittsburgh and New York City via Harrisburg to twice daily. Wolf’s office said the agreement followed an announcement earlier this year between PennDOT and NS to examine opportunities to eliminate chokepoints and improve the state’s rail system.

“Rail is critical in Pennsylvania, and I’m pleased that we’re moving quickly to deliver these long-needed improvements,” Gov. Wolf said. “This is another example of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and our strong state-funding position ensuring we can bring more mobility and economic benefits to these communities.”

Currently, Pennsylvania Amtrak service provides roundtrip service between New York City and Pittsburgh daily. As part of the agreement, eastbound service would depart Pittsburgh at 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., while westbound service would depart Harrisburg at 9:41 a.m. and 4:40 p.m.

To pay for the expanded service, the state will invest more than $200 million in infrastructure and safety improvements which will be constructed and maintained by Norfolk Southern. Norfolk Southern had previously released an operational feasibility study that includes upgraded rail lines, passenger platforms, sidings, and communication signals infrastructure.

PennDOT will use state Multimodal Transportation Fund money for the project as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL) funding. PennDOT had set aside funding to meet requirements from a 2008 federal law for Pennsylvania’s contribution toward train set costs. PennDOT anticipates it will apply for additional BIL funds to support station and platform improvements along the route.

“This is an excellent example of the positive solutions that government and business can engineer by working side-by-side toward the same goal. Together, we are able to expand passenger rail access while preserving a critical artery of our nation’s supply chain. This truly is a model for future public-private rail agreements,” said Norfolk Southern Chief Strategy Officer Mike McClellan.