Pa., Amtrak agree on rail upgrade

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell and David Gunn, president and CEO of Amtrak, unveiled a plan to bring faster, safer and more frequent commuter rail service to the Keystone Corridor between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

The agreement totals $145.5 million with the state of Pennsylvania and the railroad each sharing half the cost.

Rendell and Gunn said that Amtrak and the state will co-fund infrastructure improvements through the end of 2006, which will include track and tie installations and the upgrading of electronic traction cables, communications equipment and bridge structures.

"This line will demonstrate how incremental improvements to existing rail corridors can go forward at reasonable cost and show real results in the near term,” said Gunn.

Pennsylvania is one of Amtrak’s busiest states with Philadelphia having the third busiest station in the national railroad system.