tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7888510041198780859.post8442089487831678429..comments2023-04-25T22:37:27.911-04:00Comments on Karen Johns - Life in Phoenixville: MONTCO Planners - Charge tolls on Rt 422 to finance train service from Philly to WyomissingKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057911658878963451noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7888510041198780859.post-71264189214195279552009-02-21T10:33:00.000-05:002009-02-21T10:33:00.000-05:00Additional information from Allentown's WFMZ.A...Additional information from Allentown's WFMZ.<BR/><BR/>A study released today on restoring passenger train service between Berks County and Philadelphia recommends a detailed study of charging a toll on Route 422 to generate the money needed not only to support the train line, but to make critical improvements to the highway.<BR/><BR/>Regardless of where motorists would enter or exit the Route 422 Expressway between Pottstown and King of Prussia, officials say tolls would be charged on a per-mile basis, similar to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The study assumes the toll would be $2, or eight cents per mile, for vehicles traveling the full length of the 25-mile expressway in either direction. <BR/><BR/>The study also advances three options for the train service, which last ran between Philadelphia and Berks County in 1981. One option would be to extend SEPTA's existing R-6 electrified train service from Norristown to Valley Forge. The second option would link up diesel service west of Norristown with the R-6 line in Norristown. And the third option would run an electrified line from Wyomissing in Berks County to Philadelphia. <BR/><BR/>"A commuter rail line has been discussed for many years as a proposed solution to the increasing traffic volumes on Route 422 in Berks and Montgomery counties, however, funding has always been one of the major roadblocks," said Judy Schwank, President and CEO of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and a former Berks County commissioner. "This study addresses that difficult issue head-on by exploring possible funding mechanisms including public-private partnerships and tolling." <BR/><BR/>Seven new passenger rail stations are initially planned for the 44-mile extension of the R-6 line. They would be in Upper Merion Township, Phoenixville, Royersford, Pottstown, Amity Township, Reading, and Wyomissing. Officials say the rail line would provide an alternative to traveling on Route 422 and serve as a catalyst for development and redevelopment in well-established towns along the corridor. <BR/><BR/>The next step in project development is conducting a detailed feasibility study of tolling Route 422. That would include four components: traffic and revenue analysis of the highway; assessing the capital needs of the Route 422 and the R-6 Extension; public outreach and comment period; and development of an operating plan and cost estimate for R-6 service. <BR/><BR/>"This study shows that there is a way to address the highway and transit needs of the Route 422 corridor," said Leo Bagley, Assistant Director of Planning for Montgomery County. "The detailed feasibility study will tell us whether this is really a viable option and explore all the pros and cons of tolling so the elected officials can make an informed decision." <BR/><BR/>The study was undertaken after the federal government dropped plans for the $2.2-billion Schuylkill Valley Metro rail line. Officials say the R-6 study is an effort to explore lower-cost rail options and various innovative funding sources. <BR/><BR/>The study involved the coordination of several local and regional planning, business and economic development groups to identify new rail alternatives and potential funding for commuter service rail, including the Berks County Planning Commission, Norfolk Southern Railroad, SEPTA, PennDOT, and BARTA. <BR/><BR/><BR/>http://www.wfmz.com/view/print.php?id=652350&t=articleview-printKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057911658878963451noreply@blogger.com