Schuylkill River passenger rail clears step 1; FRA sign-off, cost estimates remain pending

Berks County commissioners received an update on the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority’s progress toward federal approval and next steps in the corridor identification process.

Commissioners said the authority has completed necessary work for Step 1 of the Federal Railroad Administration’s corridor identification program and is awaiting the FRA’s final approval, which officials said they hope will arrive by year’s end. Chair Leinbach summarized the outcome of a recent public meeting and said that, if the FRA approves Step 1, the project would move to Step 2 where detailed cost estimates for equipment and operations would be developed.

"Step 2 is a really important step. It's where a lot of the cost is figured out relative to equipment, operations, etcetera," a commissioner said. Commissioners also noted a strong public turnout at a Franklin Street station meeting and said Amtrak presented and expressed interest in operating the corridor.

Officials emphasized that county leaders have not committed an open-ended funding pledge and that cost allocations among participating counties will be determined in the next phase of work.