Senator Santarsiero and Reps. Applaud State Investments in Bucks County Freight Rail
BUCKS COUNTY — December 20, 2024 — Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) along with Representatives Tim Brennan (D-29), Tina Davis (D-141) and Jim Prokopiak (D-140) announced today $5,390,000 in state grant funding to support three freight rail projects through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
The awards, all located in Senate District 10, are as follows:
- NorthPoint Development, LLC: $3.8 million for terminal rail yard expansion and new track.
- Riverside Industrial Complex: $1.1 million for new track and track rehabilitation.
- Bucks County Railroad Preservation & Restoration Corp.: $490,000 for 17 miles of track improvements.
NorthPoint Development will use the $3.8 million investment to expand the Kinder Morgan terminal rail yard by adding 13,350 feet of new track and improve the current rail infrastructure.
“Investments in infrastructure at the former U.S. Steel site highlight the potential of continued economic growth and development in lower Bucks County,” said Senator Santarsiero. “This investment at the Kinder Morgan rail yard will provide critical infrastructure improvements, create new jobs and showcase the desirability of the complex for businesses and industries.”
“Today’s $3.8 million investment in the expansion of the Kinder Morgan terminal rail yard is a vital step forward for both our local economy and our transportation infrastructure,” said Rep. Prokopiak. “By adding over 13,000 feet of new track and improving the current rail systems in Falls Township, this project will enhance regional connectivity, create new jobs, and bolster our logistics capabilities. This partnership with NorthPoint Development highlights the importance of investing in our infrastructure to support growth and ensure Pennsylvania remains competitive in the global economy.”
Riverside Industrial Complex will use $1.1 million to install 4,735 track feet of newly constructed track and rehabilitate 240 track feet of track at the Riverside Industrial Complex in Bristol, PA.
“I’m pleased that Silvi Materials will be modernizing and rebuilding previously shuttered rail lines at the Riverside Industrial Complex,” said Senator Santarsiero. “Businesses see the potential of our area for growth and development and I’m proud to support this state investment to help with a project that will grow our local economy and create new jobs in Bristol Township.”
“This $1.1 million investment in the Riverside Industrial Complex will strengthen our local economy and improve critical infrastructure in Bristol,” said Rep. Davis. “By adding over 4,700 feet of new track and rehabilitating existing rail systems, this project ensures that our businesses remain connected to vital supply chains and have the capacity to grow. This funding is a testament to our commitment to enhancing both Bucks County’s and Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and supporting job creation and economic development in our communities.”
Bucks County Railroad Preservation & Restoration Corp. will use $490,000 to furnish and install 4,000 new crossties along the 17 miles of track along the New Hope Railroad line.
“New Hope Railroad showcases the importance of infrastructure investments in our community, as a provider of both efficient rail freight transportation to local businesses and exciting tourism excursions popular with residents and visitors alike,” said Senator Santarsiero. “New Hope Railroad has made significant investments to modernize the rail line and I was pleased to support the state’s investment to make improvements across the 17 miles of track.
“Many Bucks County businesses depend on our rail freight system, especially those that need warehousing for their exports or are located in one of our growing industrial parks. County planners and officials have done an excellent job over the years to maintain the system and make sure it keeps up with our businesses’ needs – for example, supporting locally-owned freight lines like New Hope Railroad, whose owners, the Nichini family, I met with in August. Lending to our success is that three interstate highways traverse Bucks County, offering plenty of local access along the freight lines,” said Brennan. “Governor Shapiro’s strategic investments into shoring up our rail freight and highway transportation systems, combined with the productive conversations Sen. Santarsiero and I had with PennDOT over the past year, have me more optimistic than ever about our economic growth.”
Additional information on PennDOT’s rail grant program is available on the Rail Freight and Ports page.
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