The SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA) will receive 1.5 million dollars through the PennDOT Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP). The funds will be used to rehabilitate nine railroad bridges on four of the JRA’s railroads operated by the North Shore Railroad group.
The bridges to be rehabilitated are:
• Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad (NBER) Bellefonte Branch: Benner Township, Centre County
• NBER Mainline Bridge: Worth Township, Centre County
• NBER Mainline Bridge: Union Township, Centre County
• Lycoming Valley Railroad (LVRR) AVIS IT Bridge: Woodward Township, Lycoming County
• LVRR IT Bridge: Muncy Township, Lycoming County
• Juniata Valley Railroad (JVRR) Burnham Branch: Burnham Borough, Mifflin County
• JVRR Maitland I.T: Derry Township, Mifflin County
• JVRR Maitland I.T.: Derry Township, Mifflin County
• North Shore Railroad (NSHR) Mainline: Rupert, Columbia County
Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of the grant along with 24 other rail freight improvement projects that will enhance freight mobility while creating or sustaining more than 200 jobs across Pennsylvania.
“Keeping goods moving efficiently has proven to be more important now than ever,” said Governor Wolf. “These investments in Pennsylvania’s rail system create jobs, support efficient freight travel and help keep the business community connected to the global economy.”
The SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA) is an eight-county joint municipal authority formed in 1983 to preserve essential rail service in central PA. The JRA owns the railroad properties in public trust, which are privately operated by the North Shore Railroad group. For the past 38 years, the JRA has become an engine for high value industrial development.
For more information, please contact Elaine Stauder, communications coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-522-7429 or estauder@seda-cog.org.
SEDA-COG… Building Strong Economies & Strong Communities