Westmoreland seeks $500,000 for rail study

Westmoreland County transit officials will move ahead with plans to build rail lines into Pittsburgh -- one from Arnold to the Strip District and another from Greensburg to downtown.

Members of the county transit authority this week announced the agency has applied for $500,000 in state money to pay for the final feasibility study needed before a decision can be made on whether to build the rail lines.

The grant would come from the state Department of Community and Economic Development and could be approved before the end of the year, said state Rep. Tom Tangretti, D-Hempfield. Tangretti also serves as a member of the transit authority.

State Rep. John Pallone, D-New Kensington, suggested a more conservative timetable. He said that if the DCED awards the grants, it could take from three to four months for that to happen.

From the point at which the money is awarded, Pallone said, it could take as long as two more years to finalize the study and release the results.

When asked if he expected the state to support the projects by awarding the money, Pallone said simply, "Yes."

"These rail lines offer real ways to move people into and out of Pittsburgh efficiently and economically," Pallone said.

The rails not only would benefit commuters working in the city, Pallone said, they also would benefit residents in the outlying suburbs who want to shop downtown and city residents who want to travel the other way to eat or shop in communities such as Oakmont, Arnold, or any of the stops along the way.

Sharon Resek, the Weed and Seed coordinator for New Kensington and Arnold, said she expects the proposed rail running from Arnold to the Strip District to spur economic development in Arnold and New Kensington.

She also said having the commuter train could make the housing market in this area more attractive to people working in the city.

"I'm thrilled with anyone who wants to help make this train a reality," she said. "It can't come soon enough for most of us."

Last hurdle before construction?

Local transit officials characterized the feasibility study as the last hurdle before construction funding can be sought and the system can be built.

The proposed rail lines were singled out earlier this year in a study conducted by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission as two of four preferred options to improve transportation in the region.

The proposed rail system from Arnold to Pittsburgh's Strip District received the highest level of support in the regional study.

Officials with the Westmoreland County Transit Authority, which exclusively runs bus service throughout much of Westmoreland County and commuter service into Pittsburgh, said they are unsure whether their agency would run the proposed rail lines or some other entity.

Authority Executive Director Larry Morris said the final study is expected to answer that question as well as provide funding options for the projects and better ridership projections.

The authority already has endorsed the Arnold to the Strip District and Greensburg to downtown passenger train routes.

"They are alternatives to provide additional transportation options," Morris said. "Anybody who has commuted to Pittsburgh understands how long and difficult that can be."

Cost projections have varied wildly for the Arnold to Strip District rail line, from $20 million to $140 million.

Several proposals have been discussed, including one that starts in Arnold with stops in New Kensington, Oakmont, Verona and Lawrenceville. A $330 million option would extend the line into downtown Pittsburgh and possibly Oakland.

Initial estimates have suggested that the proposed Allegheny Valley rail line would cater to about 1,900 passengers to as many as 6,700 daily riders who would travel the 34-minute commute.

The Greensburg-to-Pittsburgh rail project is estimated to cost as little as $190 million for a limited service system to a more ambitious $300 million line that would operate every 30 minutes during peak times.

Preliminary studies have indicated that the more expensive system could carry about 8,800 passengers every day for the 49-minute trip between Greensburg and downtown Pittsburgh.

Rail service would utilize existing tracks and train stations in Greensburg and Pittsburgh. Other stops have been proposed for Jeannette, Irwin, Trafford, Wilmerding, East Pittsburgh, Braddock, Swissvale and Wilkinsburg.

Planners also have suggested extending the line eight miles east to Latrobe.

Michael Aubele can be reached at maubele@tribweb.com.

Rich Cholodofsky is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review in Greensburg.