Rail freight improvements coming to Coatesville

COATESVILLE » State Sen. Andy Dinniman announced Wednesday that nearly $650,000 in total state funding has been approved for two major rail freight improvement projects at the Arcelor Mittal steel plant in Coatesville.

“Investments in our rail freight network create opportunities for expansion and job growth,” Dinniman said. “In addition, improving and updating our rail infrastructure enhances safety on our local roads and highways by easing traffic congestions.”

Dinniman, D-19, who serves on the Senate Transportation Committee, supported both projects.

The projects, which are funded through PennDOT’s Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP), were approved today by the State Transportation Commission. They are as follows:

• $286,944 for Arcelor Mittal Plate, LLC, to replace six turnouts and rehabilitate 450 feet of track at Arcelor Mittal Plate’s West Yard in Coatesville to improve track conditions.

• $362,943 for Mittal Steel USA Railways, Inc., to rehabil-

itate approximately 700 feet of track and replace 4

turnouts at Arcelor Mittal Plate’s Coatesville plant, including track re-alignment to support the movement of industry standard rail cars.

The Coatesville projects come as part of 27 rail

freight improvement projects statewide that will help sustain more than 400 jobs across the commonwealth.

In total, the commission approved $32 million for

the projects through RFAP and the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP).

RFAP is an annual grant program that provides financial assistance for investments

in rail freight infrastructure. It is underwritten through the new Multi-Modal Fund, created by Act 89 of 2013.

With 67 operating railroads, Pennsylvania has

more than any other state, and PennDOT’s focus is on working with private rail operators to assist in maintaining and improving the roughly 5,600 miles of freight lines in the state.