Congressman James L. Nelligan announced today the Carbon County Railroad Commission will receive $163,414 in federal monies to continue to upgrade the Nesquehoning Valley Branch Line.

Nelligan said the Appalachian Regional Commission funds will be supplemented by a federal Urban Development Action Grant and by funds provided by industries that use the 17-mile stretch of rail.

The congressman said the project is designed to upgrade the line to facilitate transportation of heavier loads. This will be achieved by ensuring the entire stretch has two ties for each 100 inches of track.

The industries along the line currently employ more than 600 people, Nelligan said.