Pa. Congressman Altmire supports passenger rail funding

U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (Pa.-04), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is publicly lauding that private funding had been secured for a commuter rail line in western Pennsylvania.

Congressman Altmire has been a strong supporter of the passenger rail line, securing funds in 2008 for a study that laid the groundwork for the Allegheny Valley Commuter Rail. In 2009, Congressman Altmire chaired a Congressional hearing in Pittsburgh to examine the possibility of passenger rail service in the area.

“This project is a culmination of years of work between the public and private sectors to improve transportation in western Pennsylvania and create good-paying jobs,” Altmire said in a written statement following the announcement of the passenger rail funding. “Congestion on our crumbling infrastructure and fuel costs have been a burden on this area, and this new commuter rail will ignite our local economy. As an early supporter of this rail service, I am excited to see that private financing has been secured to bring this project into the next phase of development. I am committed to seeing this project through to the end, and I will continue to work with the stakeholders through this process.”

The Allegheny Valley Commuter Rail will provide passenger rail service from Westmoreland County and the Alle-Kiski Valley to downtown Pittsburgh and eventually the Pittsburgh International Airport and could help to alleviate congestion along Route 28.