Schuylkill River Passenger Train On Track For Federal Funding

READING, PA —The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority voted unanimously during its October meeting to approve an agreement with Smart Growth America through its Transportation for America program.

Transportation for America will provide guidance to the authority during the process of advocating and applying for federal funding to restore passenger rail service in the Reading to Philadelphia corridor.

The authority is a newly created board with representatives of three counties, Berks, Montgomery and Chester, overseeing a project to restore passenger train service from Philadelphia to Reading, with stops in Norristown, Phoenixville, Pottstown and Reading.

The project envisions passengers being able to connect from Philadelphia to New York and Washington, D.C.

Transportation for America will assist with the authority’s application to the Federal Railroad Administration to participate in their Corridor Identification Program.

This program includes funding for a variety of planning and environmental documentation activities that are essential for the rail service restoration project.

The authority has budgeted $1.3 million through 2025 with each county contributing $431,520.

More information about the authority is available on its new website: www.gosrpra.com.