A coal company headquartered in Tamaqua has received state funding for a rail freight project

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that Lehigh Anthracite will receive $676,000 in funding from the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program.

Lehigh Anthracite’s project was one of 20 rail freight improvement projects approved for the awards by the state Transportation Commission.

The projects are aimed at improving Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and supporting economic growth, according to PennDOT.

“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”

Lehigh Anthracite will use the funding to construct 1,200 linear feet of new track with a silo/loading system and foundation.

The grant will also go toward the construction of unloading equipment, according to PennDOT.

PennDOT noted that it is committed to working with private rail operators and rail-served businesses to construct new rail lines and assist in maintaining and improving Pennsylvania’s roughly 5,600 miles of freight lines.