Norfolk Southern Corp. and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently reached an agreement to expand passenger rail access in western Pennsylvania.
Under the agreement, the Pennsylvanian Amtrak service would make two, instead of one, daily roundtrip between New York City and Pittsburgh via Harrisburg. Westbound service would depart Harrisburg while eastbound service would depart Pittsburgh.
“This is an excellent example of the positive solutions that government and business can engineer by working side-by-side toward the same goal,” Mike McClellan, Norfolk Southern chief strategy officer, said. “Together, we are able to expand passenger rail access, while preserving a critical artery of our nation’s supply chain. This truly is a model for future public-private rail agreements.”
The state will invest more than $200 million in infrastructure and safety improvements. Norfolk Southern will perform all construction and maintenance.
A final definitive agreement is expected to be completed by the end of the year and construction can begin immediately. The new service would start within three years of the definitive agreement’s execution.
The Pennsylvanian travels Norfolk Southern’s Pittsburgh Line and connects travelers to the Capitol Limited and to Cleveland, Chicago and other cities.
Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads, highest of any state.