HARRISBURG — Everett Railroad has been awarded $232,554 to upgrade track as it connects to a new cement transload terminal, according to Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair).
The railroad is planning to upgrade three miles of track.
“Investing in short-line railroads is critical to our rural communities. The Everett Railroad fills an important niche, safely and reliably handling transloading bulk commodities between rail and highway trailers along the growing I-99 Corridor. This state funding will benefit the local economy by allowing the Everett Railroad to rehabilitate track in Greenfield Township, restore rail service to Sproul, and complete a transload facility that will meet the transportation needs of a local manufacturer,” Ward said.
“The Everett Railroad has a storied history in Blair County. I appreciate those who have dedicated themselves to its rebirth since the 1980s and are positioning the railroad for the future,” Gregory said, noting the railroad serves both businesses regularly and families for special occasions.
The sources of the grant funding are the Act 89 Transportation Plan of 2013 and Act 119 of 2013, both of which support improvements to freight rail infrastructure.
An expansion in 1995 tied together the Everett Railroad and Morrisons Cove Railroad for a 23-mile rail network. The railroad typically operates trains three days per week.