LEWISBURG – Congressman Chris Carney (PA-10) announced today that the Susquehanna Economic Development Association Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Joint Rail Authority has been awarded a $10 million TIGER II grant through the Department of Transportation. The funding will be used to provide necessary infrastructure improvements along existing rail and transportation corridors to meet demands of the Marcellus Shale industry. Congressman Carney has been a strong advocate for the project, working with SEDA-COG and the DOT to secure funding. In August, the congressman – along with U.S. Reps. Glenn Thompson and Bill Shuster and Senators Bob Casey and Arlen Specter – urged Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to support SEDA-COG’s grant application.

 

"This is a critical step in improving our transportation infrastructure and boosting economic development in the region," said Congressman Carney. "The Marcellus Shale has presented us with a terrific economic opportunity, but one that requires substantial rail and highway investments to cope with industry demand. This will create jobs and boost our economy and I'm thrilled our efforts have paid off."

“On behalf of the SEDA-COG joint rail authority we are extremely pleased to hear of this grant announcement from Congressman Carney. This truly is a significant investment to help our region cope with the rail and highway needs of the Marcellus Shale," said Jeff Stover, Executive Director of the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority. "This will help us leverage contributions from the rail authority, private sector and the commonwealth. This is an important day for the entire region. I want also want to thank the Lycoming County Board of Commissioners for partnering with the Rail Authority on the application.”

 

"Clearly Congressman Carney understands the importance of roads, rail, and bridges to the economic growth of our region, particularly with the opportunities associated with the Marcellus Shale," said Commissioner Rebecca Burke, Chairperson of the Lycoming County Board of Commissioners. "Our application to Secretary LaHood had the support of our entire state and federal delegation, the governor, multiple counties and authorities for which we are grateful. This type of multimodal, multi-county transportation infrastructure is exactly what we need to support economic growth and good jobs for all Pennsylvanians."

 

The proposed project has 18 components in six central Pennsylvania counties, including Lycoming, Northumberland, Montour and Union Counties. The plan calls for 9.9 miles of new tracks for SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority’s short-line railroads, as well as a new two-lane road that will provide direct access from I-180 to the Williamsport Regional Airport. These transportation improvements will take place along existing rail and transportation corridors and allow the area to provide the necessary infrastructure to meet the demands of the Marcellus Shale industry and continue to support existing companies in the region.

 

Expanding and improving rail service and improving access to the airport from I-180 increases the development opportunities for over 380 acres of prime industrial property that can support new job growth in Central Pennsylvania. Additionally, according to the industry, the increased use of railroads will result in the removal of an estimated 57,600 trucks by the end of 2011 from the region and the nation’s highway systems, reducing road maintenance costs.

 

The $10 million grant is being administered under the Department of Transportation’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II Discretionary Grants Program. TIGER II grants were awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region or metropolitan area.  The projects sought are those that contribute to the long-term economic competitiveness of the nation, improve the condition of existing transportation facilities and systems, increase energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improve the safety of U.S. transportation facilities and/or enhance the quality of living and working environments of communities through increased transportation choices and connections.

 

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