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Pittsburgh could roll with more Amtrak service


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#31 KevinKorell

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Posted 22 September 2023 - 01:48 PM

Patch, 9/22/23:

 


 

     Pittsburgh Amtrak Service To Double  

 

 

Pittsburgh Amtrak passenger rail service will double under an agreement announced Friday between PennDOT and Norfolk Southern Corp.

 

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#32 CNJRoss

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Posted 22 September 2023 - 07:21 PM

Norfolk Southern news release

Expanding passenger rail access in Western Pennsylvania: a win-win for communities and commerce

 

Norfolk Southern is building upon its partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) with a new agreement to improve and expand passenger rail access in Western Pennsylvania. This agreement marks a major step forward, enhancing access to modern, safe, and reliable passenger rail for the people of Pennsylvania.

 

In a press release from PennDOT, Norfolk Southern Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Mike McClellan emphasized the win-win nature of the agreement. "Norfolk Southern is excited to build upon our partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by increasing passenger rail options for the citizens of Pennsylvania while improving the resilience of our infrastructure for the shippers in the Commonwealth. This is a win-win agreement that would not be possible without the dedication and collaboration of our state officials, who share our vision for enhanced rail service across the Keystone State.”

 

With a focus on improving transportation to Western Pennsylvania, this initiative aims to reduce commute times, foster connectivity among residents, and stimulate local economies. The Pennsylvanian Amtrak line, currently operating one daily roundtrip between New York City and Pittsburgh via Harrisburg, will soon offer twice-daily services.

 

PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll expressed the significance of this agreement, highlighting its dual purpose of expanding passenger rail while preserving vital freight rail corridors. “This agreement lays the groundwork for expanded passenger rail service in Western Pennsylvania while simultaneously preserving a critical freight rail corridor. Ensuring more Pennsylvanians have access to safe and reliable transportation to Western PA will reduce commute times, help connect hundreds of thousands of residents, and boost local economies. This expansion of service on the Pennsylvanian will provide key mobility and economic benefits.”

 

To support this expansion, the Commonwealth will invest over $200 million in infrastructure and safety upgrades, with Norfolk Southern leading construction and maintenance efforts. Grant applications submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration will assist in financing these crucial improvements.

 

Read the full press release here.

 



#33 CNJRoss

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Posted 22 September 2023 - 07:24 PM

PennDOT news release

 

Shapiro Administration Finalizes Agreement to Expand Western Pa. Passenger-Rail Access

 

09/22/2023

 

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) finalized an agreement with Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) to expand passenger rail service on the Pennsylvanian Amtrak line in Western Pennsylvania. Thanks to this expansion, more Pennsylvanians will have access to modern, safe, reliable passenger rail that gets them where they need to go – connecting Pennsylvania communities and bringing jobs, economic development, and infrastructure investment along with it.

 

"This agreement lays the groundwork for expanded passenger rail service in Western Pennsylvania while simultaneously preserving a critical freight rail corridor," said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "Ensuring more Pennsylvanians have access to safe and reliable transportation to Western PA will reduce commute times, help connect hundreds of thousands of residents, and boost local economies. This expansion of service on the Pennsylvanian will provide key mobility and economic benefits." 

 

Currently, the Pennsylvanian Amtrak service travels roundtrip between New York City and Pittsburgh via Harrisburg once daily. The agreement that Norfolk Southern and PennDOT entered into supports increasing those Pennsylvanian passenger services to twice a day. To support these expanded passenger operations, the Commonwealth will invest more than $200 million in infrastructure and safety improvements that will be constructed and maintained by Norfolk Southern. PennDOT has applied for grant funds through the Federal Railroad Administration to help pay for these improvements.

 

The future improvements and construction will stem from a previously released Norfolk Southern operational feasibility study requested by PennDOT and includes upgraded rail lines, sidings, and necessary communications signals infrastructure. The renegotiated agreement with Norfolk Southern for the infrastructure work needed to support the additional Pennsylvanian ensures that safety and the best interests of the Commonwealth are fully addressed.   

 

"Norfolk Southern is excited to build upon our partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by increasing passenger rail options for the citizens of Pennsylvania while improving the resilience of our infrastructure for the shippers in the Commonwealth," said Norfolk Southern Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Mike McClellan. "This is a win-win agreement that would not be possible without the dedication and collaboration of our state officials, who share our vision for enhanced rail service across the Keystone State."

 

The Pennsylvanian is a key passenger rail route connecting the citizens of the Keystone State from east to west, and, in conjunction with the Capitol Limited, with Cleveland, Chicago and beyond. The Pennsylvanian travels Norfolk Southern's Pittsburgh Line, which is part of the Premier Corridor, a main artery for double-stack intermodal traffic moving between Chicago and metropolitan New York. It is one of the busiest and fastest links on Norfolk Southern's network, connecting with major terminals in Toledo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and the Lehigh Valley. In a typical year, more than half of Norfolk Southern's time-sensitive parcel and less-than-truckload shipments use the route at some point. The company's trains deliver or pick up freight at 140-plus locations along the corridor, serving more than 800 customers. 

 

"We look forward to working with PennDOT and Norfolk Southern on this expansion of Amtrak service in the Commonwealth," said Amtrak Vice President of State Supported Services Ray Lang.

 

Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads – the most of any state in the country – and ranks fifth in total track mileage with more than 5,600 miles. The 2020 Pennsylvania State Rail Plan (PDF)Opens In A New Window reported that in 2017, 193.5 million tons of freight in 4.9 million railcars moved over the state's rail transportation system.

 

More information on PennDOT's efforts to improve intercity passenger rail in Pennsylvania is available on PennDOT's websiteOpens In A New Window.  

 

# # # 



#34 KevinKorell

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Posted 04 October 2023 - 12:38 AM

Lancaster Online,  10/3/23:

 


 

    Second daily Amtrak train planned for Pittsburgh-New York route    

 

 

The state Department of Transportation has finalized an agreement to add a second daily round-trip train between New York City and Pittsburgh, with stops in Lancaster city and Elizabethtown.

 

Story



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#35 KevinKorell

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Posted 06 December 2023 - 07:49 PM

Pennsylvania Capital-Star,  12/6/23:

 


 

  Casey, Fetterman announce $144M grant to expand Amtrak’s Philadelphia to Pittsburgh service    

 

 

U.S. Sens Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) on Wednesday announced a $143.6 million Federal Railroad Administration grant for track and safety improvements that will support expanded Amtrak passenger service between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

 

Entire story



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#36 KevinKorell

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Posted 08 December 2023 - 11:29 AM

Pittsburgh, PA Post-Gazette,  12/8/23:

 


 

     A second daily Amtrak roundtrip between Pittsburgh and NYC is coming  

 

 

Track improvements to allow a second daily roundtrip between Pittsburgh and New York City and a study looking at passenger trains heading west from the City of Bridges to Chicago are among the latest projects to receive funding under President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law.

 

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#37 KevinKorell

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Posted 24 February 2024 - 10:27 AM

Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA, 2/23/24:

 


 

   Work moving forward on Johnstown's second daily Amtrak round trip    

 

 

A plan to bring a second Amtrak passenger train on a daily round trip through Johnstown is now fully funded – and efforts are underway to get necessary track upgrades under construction, state Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr. said.

 

Here is the latest.



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