A $5 million rail project to construct a new bridge across the Lehigh River has been approved by the State Transportation Commission, said Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon), Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon) and Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).

The commission voted this week to approve $36 million for 15 projects through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and 16 projects through the Rail Freight Assistance Program. RTAP is a capital budget grant program funded with bonds and RFAP is underwritten through the new Multimodal Fund, created by Act 89.

"Strong infrastructure is critical to improving economic growth and promoting job creation. The funds for this project were specifically set aside for rail projects and I'm glad to see this money coming to Carbon County," Heffley said.

The rail project will improve the infrastructure for the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad and will provide approximately 1,200 feet of new track related to the construction of the new bridge.

"State support of our rail system is vital to public safety and economic development in Carbon County. Coupled with the continued private investment of the Reading Blue Mountain Railroad Company, this significant state grant will upgrade our rail freight infrastructure and create jobs throughout northeastern Pennsylvania," said Yudichak.

Statewide, an estimated 9,200 jobs will be created and more than 39,000 will be retained over the next five years due to 31 rail projects made possible by the RTAP and RFAP PennDOT programs.

"This investment will improve our local rail infrastructure and create more local jobs," Argall said. "The railroad's continued positive economic impact to the region will lead to future job growth and opportunities for local residents."

For more information on rail in Pennsylvania visit

www.penndot.gov.