(From a press release)
If you live in Middletown Township or drove along Woodbourne Rd. in Middletown Township, you probably have been affected by a blocked crossing or an idling CSX train at the Woodbourne Road Rail Crossing. Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) and Rep. Joe Hogan, are pleased to share that The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is moving forward with a study on this crossing.
Through federal legislation, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, PennDOT was able to apply for a grant through the Federal Railroad Administration to study the impacts and effects of crossings. The department picked three crossings to study in the entire Commonwealth.
Two of the three crossings chosen for the study are the Township Line and Woodbourne Road crossings. Sen. Farry and Rep. Hogan have been in communication with PennDOT and understand this study is finally moving forward, PennDOT executed the grant agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration and selected a consultant to administer the study.
While the Federal Railroad Administration, under the U.S. Department of Transportation, has jurisdiction over these issues, Sen. Farry and Rep. Hogan have been working closely with their federal counterparts and exploring and advocating for avenues towards possible solutions at the state level. They have met with CSX numerous times, explored legislative options at the state level and advocated for possible solutions. Most recently, they joined staff from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s office to engage with Middletown Township officials regarding these ongoing issues at the Woodbourne Train Station.
“While not a solution, this is a step in the right direction to continue to bring state and national attention to this issue and therefore hopefully come up with a permanent solution to solve this problem,” Farry said.
Any complaints about this issue, including blocked crossings and idling trains should be directed to the Federal Railroad Administration. Farry and Hogan will advocate for the complaints to the Federal Railroad Administration be part of the PennDOT study.
