Baker, Fritz: Rail Investment Will Support Economic Growth, Jobs in Susquehanna County

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY - Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) and Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) announced today that $3.4 million in rail freight investment is coming to Susquehanna County. These dollars, Fritz says, will improve transportation infrastructure, strengthen supply chains and support hundreds of family-sustaining jobs.

Part of a $53 million state investment aimed at improving freight rail infrastructure, the scope of the project for Bridge 192.22 near Susquehanna Depot, Susquehanna County, is to restore the bridge by repairing and replacing critical load-bearing components like steel trusses, concrete piers, timbers and abutments to ensure the bridge can safely handle modern freight loads. Slow zones that currently bottleneck rail traffic will also be improved.

"This project is a commitment to modernizing Pennsylvania's freight rail system," Fritz said. "A reliable rail infrastructure is essential for local manufacturers and employers, and this investment will improve the safety of our railroad system and sustain local jobs."

"Keeping our infrastructure strong keeps our economy moving," said Baker. "Upgrading Bridge 192.22 will improve rail traffic flow in Susquehanna County while ensuring the system can safely meet today's freight demands."

Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads and more than 5,600 miles of freight track, the most of any state in the nation. The RTAP and RFAP programs are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports and Waterways and are designed to support public-private partnerships that maintain and enhance the Commonwealth's rail system.