Casey fought to enhance Amtrak service between major PA cities and communities; new designation and award made possible by Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Project received $500,000 from federal development program facilitating creation and enhancement of intercity passenger rail corridors
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) announced $143,629,028 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to upgrade rail infrastructure along the Keystone West Corridor between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg to accommodate a second daily round-trip of the Amtrak Pennsylvanian service. Additionally, Casey and Fetterman announced a $500,000 grant from the Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) program to plan and develop how to expand both Amtrak’s Pennsylvanian and Keystone services along the entire Pittsburgh to Philadelphia corridor, including in smaller communities like Altoona, Johnstown, and Lancaster. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will match 20 percent of the project’s total cost.
“I fought for this funding because when Pennsylvanians can move quickly and easily across the state for work, study, or travel our Commonwealth thrives,” said Senator Casey. “Improving rail service means more jobs, more economic opportunities, and more time spent with family for urban and rural communities alike.”
“I’m extremely honored and excited to join with Senator Casey to announce this funding for passenger rail between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Pennsylvania will see numerous benefits from this expansion, including safer and more reliable transit, reduced travel time, and strengthened local economies,” said Senator Fetterman. “I am proud to see us investing in so many rail infrastructure projects throughout the commonwealth. The more trains and public transportation options for Pennsylvanians, the better.”
In March 2023, Senator Casey wrote a letter of support to the FRA urging them to consider the Keystone Corridor for the Corridor ID program. In April, Casey sent another letter to the FRA urging them to consider the Keystone West Corridor for federal investment.
The $143,629,028 grant comes from the Federal Rail Administration (FRA)’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program (FSP) to help complete the final design and construction of track and signal improvements along existing rail while improving safety and Amtrak’s service reliability. The FSP funds capital projects aiming to replace, rehabilitate, or repair infrastructure, improve intercity passenger rail service performance such as reducing trip times or increasing train frequency, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service.
The $500,000 grant comes from the Corridor ID Program, a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development program established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Senator Casey fought to pass. The program is guiding intercity passenger rail development throughout the country and creating a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation.
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