From PennDOT
Harrisburg, PA – PennDOT today announced that it has scheduled three open houses for the public and stakeholders to review the draft for the update of the Pennsylvania State Rail plan.
The plan allows the commonwealth to identify a clear vision for the future of rail transportation, to set objectives for achieving that vision, and to document and evaluate passenger and freight rail needs over the course of the next twenty five years to guide investments.
“Pennsylvania is a railroad state with a long history being in the forefront of this mode of transportation,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “Our dynamic and ever evolving long-range rail plan is intended to maintain that legacy and help direct our investments to keep both freight and passenger rail as vibrant components of our transportation network. We look to our residents and stakeholders to use these open houses to help us shape the plan.”
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) works with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on the update.
Scheduled meetings are:
- Sept. 15, Pittsburgh Amtrak Station, 1100 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Sept. 16, Centre region Council of Governments, 2643 Gateway Drive, State College, PA 16801
- Sept. 17, Amtrak 30th Street Station, 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
All sessions run from 6 to 8 p.m.
The updated plan is to be submitted to FRA in November.
The draft 2015 Pennsylvania State Rail Plan can also be reviewed and comments provided at http://www.planthekeystone.com/staterailplan.html. Comments will be accepted at the Open House Public Meetings and online from August 31, 2015 to October 2, 2015.
“The vision for Pennsylvania’s rail system is to provide safe, convenient, reliable, cost-effective connections for people and goods,” Richards said. “As a viable alternative to other transportation modes, the rail system will support economic competitiveness, smart growth, and environmental sustainability, thereby strengthening Pennsylvania’s communities.”
