Fleck Announces Million Dollar Grants for Rail Service in East Broad Top Area
The East Broad Top Railroad (EBT) will be the recipient of a state grant to go toward a track rehabilitation project, Rep. Mike Fleck (R-Huntingdon/Blair/Mifflin) announced today.
The State Transportation Commission voted today to approve the rehabilitation of 7,360 feet of linear track in conjunction with the Mount Union Connecting Railroad. The project will restore service to an out-of-service rail spur. The state is slated to give $700,000 in state funding to the project through the state’s Rail Freight Assistance Program. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the total cost of the project is $1 million.
The State Transportation Commission also approved a $325,000 state grant for the Mount Union Connecting Railroad to rehabilitate track to bring a rail spur back into service.
“This is a major investment on the part of the Commonwealth,” Fleck said. “We've fought long and hard for funding to not only preserve the East Broad Top Railroad, but make it a vital economic engine once again. With the rehabilitation of the rail spur, businesses along the corridor and in Riverview Industrial Park will be able to utilize the connection in meeting their shipping needs. It makes the Industrial Park more attractive to potential businesses and will hopefully spark renewed interest amongst prospective investors in the business park.
“From a tourism prospective, it brings us nearly a mile and half closer to reopening the EBT from Rockhill to Mt. Union. Tourism is our second largest industry in the county and I firmly believe it will play a pivotal role in job growth in our region.”
The EBT Railroad is the last functioning narrow gauge railroad east of the Mississippi River and has been classified as a national historic treasure.
Rep. Mike Fleck
81st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(814) 644-2996
(717) 787-3335
Contact: Tricia Graham
tgraham@pahousegop.com
(717) 260-6296