Officials Announce New Rail Project That Will Speed Up Service

A $10 million federal grant will help improve SEPTA and freight travel along the West Trenton Line from Middletown and Trenton.

Officials announced Wednesday morning that the money will go toward building an additional four mile section of track that will separate SEPTA Regional Rail service from the CSX freight service. The additional line will be about six miles long and allow commuter trains to travel at a high speed of 70 MPH.

Officials said they expect the additional rail line to speed up commuter train service, which can often be hit with delays along the West Trenton Line.

The grant will help fund what is being called the SEPTA-CSX Separation Project. The project is expected to be finished by December 31, 2015 and will cost just over $38 million, SEPTA Deputy General Manager Jeffrey Knueppel said.

SEPTA leases the tracks from CSX, officials said. SEPTA runs about 57 trips between Woodbourne and Trenton, while CSX has about 20 freight loads. However, officials say CSX is quickly adding more and more freight trips, which are conflicting with their schedules.

CSX trains often traffic goods to and from the Port of Philadelphia. Officials said train line that runs through Middletown is among the busiest in the country.

Political leaders have said the project is expected to boost the local economy and create jobs.

“This [project] will significantly enhance a portion of the rail corridor that is vital to our economy – ensuring that commuters have reliable transportation to get to-and-from work, and that businesses can send and receive goods efficiently and effectively,” SEPTA Board Chairman Pat Deon said. He added that the project was a “big deal.”

“This investment solidifies the role of rail service and ensures that if can best work for businesses and citizens,” Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick said.

As part of the project, SEPTA will be able to make improvements to the Yardley and West Trenton stations that will make future projects to make the stations fully compliant for those with disabilities a reality. Money on the project will also go toward upgrading equipment as part of the new federal Positive Tran Control regulations.

The grant money comes from the a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program, which is administered by the Department of Transportation.

Knueppel said the plan includes some sound barriers in New Jersey, but he does not believe the additional line will impact local residents with extra noise.