U.S. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman have announced a significant funding boost to upgrade rail infrastructure in the state. They secured $143,629,028 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve the Keystone West Corridor, the rail link between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. The project aims to facilitate a second daily round trip for the Amtrak Pennsylvanian service.
In addition to this, the Senators also announced a $500,000 grant from the Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) program. This funding will support planning and development efforts to expand both Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian and Keystone services along the entire Pittsburgh to Philadelphia corridor. Smaller communities like Altoona, Johnstown, and Lancaster stand to benefit from this expansion. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will match 20% of the total project cost.
Senator Casey emphasized the wider benefits of improved rail service. “When Pennsylvanians can move quickly and easily across the state for work, study, or travel our Commonwealth thrives,” he said. “This means more jobs, more economic opportunities, and more time spent with family for urban and rural communities alike.”
Echoing Casey’s sentiments, Senator Fetterman noted the potential for safer and more reliable transit, reduced travel time, and strengthened local economies. “The more trains and public transportation options for Pennsylvanians, the better,” he added.
Senator Casey had previously advocated for the Keystone Corridor in letters to the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) in March and April 2023.
The larger grant comes from the FRA’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program, which funds capital projects aimed at rehabilitating or repairing infrastructure, improving intercity passenger rail service performance, or expanding or establishing new intercity passenger rail service.
The smaller grant is from the Corridor ID Program, an initiative Senator Casey championed as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This program guides intercity passenger rail development nationwide, creating a pipeline of projects ready for implementation.
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