HARRISBURG PA – Rail improvements will be made in two Berks County municipalities, Boyertown and Birdsboro, thanks to $3.4 million in funding awarded Wednesday (Jan. 21, 2026) by the state Department of Transportation.
The money to be invested locally is part of a nearly $53 million package for 30 railroad freight projects across 31 counties. The department pulled it from two sources: the Rail Transportation Assistance Program, and the Rail Freight Assistance Program.
As part of its announcement, the department also reported the work is expected to create an estimated 450 jobs statewide.
Putting the Funds to Use
The funds will be used:
- In Boyertown, $2.6 million, by the Berks County Redevelopment Authority to replace 1,600 feet of existing track; build 2,430 feet of new track, and create a siding to serve the Boyertown Foundry; and
- In Birdsboro, $827,000, by H&K Group Inc. to rehabilitate and improve the track siding at its Birdsboro Quarry.
Working With Rail Operators and Clients
Pennsylvania is the only state in the country with a dedicated rail freight grant program, according to the department. Sixty-five railroads operate within the state.
The department said it is committed to working with private rail operators and rail-served businesses to construct new rail lines, and help in maintaining and improving roughly 5,600 miles of existing freight lines.
In a media release, the Shapiro Administration said it has invested more than $150 million in the rail freight network since 2023.
Top photo by Keisha Riley Lemons on Unsplash
Aqua PA to Remediate Perkiomen Township Wells with Grant
HARRISBURG PA – Aqua PA Inc. was approved Wednesday (Jan. 21, 2026) for a $6.83 million grant from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to remediate harmful substances in three well stations in Perkiomen Township.
The grant is intended to help cover the cost of “treatment upgrades to prevent contamination and protect the community’s drinking water,” according to a media release from 24th District state Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, and state Rep. Matthew Bradford, majority leader of the House.
Contaminated are the Meyers, Cranberry, and Rahns well stations within the township. They are reported to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), described as man-made “forever chemicals.”
PFAS substances are not easily broken down. TapScore, a California-based water testing service, explains the chemicals have been linked to health problems that include “liver damage, cholesterol changes, increased risk of obesity, increased risk of kidney cancer, decreased fertility, decreased birth weight, increased risk of thyroid disease.”
The financing authority provides low-cost financial assistance to address water, wastewater, storm water, and non-point source pollution problems.
Above photo by Travels With The Post
Our local news reporting includes news about businesses and commercial ventures within, or that affect residents of, Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more business articles here.
Local Community Projects Receive $7.9 Million in Grants