State Approves Rail Projects for Area Industries

(HARRISBURG) - - The state Transportation Commission today approved funding for two rail projects in Central Pennsylvania, according to Senator John R. Gordner (R-27), who sponsored the projects in the state's Capital Budget.

The Senator said the Commission approved funding of $1.65 million to provide rail service to the new United States Gypsum plant in Washingtonville and $793,000 to expand rail service at Boyd Station LLC in Riverside. "Both of these projects will add family sustaining jobs for our area," said Senator Gordner.

United States Gypsum has built a new wallboard plant in Washingtonville, and rail service to the plant is necessary for incoming shipments of raw materials and outgoing shipment of finished product. The total cost of the project is over $2.3 million.

Boyd Station LLC will complete a $1.1 million dollar project for continued expansion of the company's bulk commodity receiving and shipping infrastructure. Boyd Station is an agricultural commodities transfer facility.

"During these difficult economic times, I am pleased to help obtain state assistance for industries that are expanding and creating jobs for our area. Both of these projects required substantial investment by the companies and a long-term commitment to Central Pennsylvania," said Senator Gordner.

The state Transportation Commission approved 11 rail projects for a total of $26 million in funding during today's meeting.