Amtrak’s plan to expand train service from Pennsylvania to New York on track
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Amtrak's plan to expand passenger rail service from Pittsburgh to New York is still on track. The plan, finalized by PennDOT and Norfolk Southern over a year ago, is expected to be complete in 2026.
The Pennsylvanian Amtrak service currently travels between New York City and Pittsburgh through Harrisburg once a day.
"We've heard for over a decade actually have a strong contingency of folks out in the Pittsburgh region that would like to see additional service through that corridor," Angela Watson, Director of Rail, Freight, Ports & Waterways at PennDOT said.
What seems like an easy fix is actually a unique project, stemming from other projects.
"It's a series of 11 projects, four of which need to be completed prior to adding that second service in 2026. Those projects obviously are the ones that are advancing first and they're in final design stages. Those projects actually around the Harrisburg area to accommodate some changes and modifications to allow for that separation of freight and passenger rail to help provide some room on the line basically for the passenger service," Watson said.
The other seven projects are still in the early stages of planning and development, including one in Altoona to build a new third track between the city and Tyrone to improve travel time and reduce congestion. Johnstown also has a project to improve train speeds for crossover moves at that location.
One of the stops on the daily Pennsylvanian is Huntingdon, which is no stranger to railroads.
"Rail is very important here and has been for a very long time as part of our heritage and helped develop this county. I quite frequently see the passenger train stopping here to Huntingdon Station and there's a lot more people utilize it than you realize, you know, folks that need to go to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, maybe for business that day, this will give them the opportunity to come back the same day. I just think it's a good win win," Huntingdon County Commissioner Scott Walls said.
Last September the Shapiro Administration announced that the Commonwealth would invest more than $200 million in infrastructure and safety improvements that will be constructed and maintained by Norfolk Southern. PennDOT has also applied for grant funds through the Federal Railroad Administration to help pay for these improvements.
"We wish it would happen tomorrow, but, you know, it is something good that's coming and we'll just have to wait until it gets here. At least we know there's going to be more transportation opportunities in Huntingdon County," Walls said.
The state is still working with Amtrak to figure out the service's schedule. However, they're looking at the possibility of having a morning and afternoon train to offer riders a variety.
"It provides an additional option, transportation option. And, you know, for some folks, it might be the preferred option to avoid congested highways. It might also be their only means of transportation if they don't have their own vehicle at home to especially go long distances," Watson said.
The Shapiro Administration noted that Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads, the most of any state in the country, and ranks fifth in total track mileage with more than 5,600 miles.
