Ciresi brings $1.7 million for area transportation and infrastructure improvements: Funding will advance project to restore Reading-Philadelphia passenger rail service

Southeast Delegation    March 16, 2023 | 4:12 PM

HARRISBURG, March 16 – As a longtime, successful advocate for transportation and infrastructure programs in the 146th Legislative District, State Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery, announced today that he has helped to secure 1.7 million in state grants for area transportation and infrastructure projects through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

“I am proud to have secured $1.7 million in grant funding for these significant and far-reaching projects, particularly the feasibility study that will help establish passenger service between Reading and Philadelphia,” Ciresi said. “This funding will improve our area through investments in projects to reduce traffic, make our streets safer, and increase access to residential, business and recreational areas.”


The funding will be used for the following projects:

  • $250,000 toward reconstructing and aligning Lightcap Road in Limerick Township to support the increase in traffic caused by development in the area.
  • $200,000 for the restoration of First Avenue from Arch Street to the trailhead parking area in Royersford Borough to improve access to residences, businesses, and amenities; support the broader Royersford business climate; and ensure a safe and well-maintained connection to the Schuylkill River Trail and other connected trails.
  • $1 million to replace outdated streetlights in Pottstown Borough with new, energy efficient LED lights and control systems, and to install crime prevention cameras at priority downtown intersections to improve safety, increase residents’ quality of life, and reduce the municipality’s carbon footprint while achieving long-term savings.
  • $250,000 to the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority for an operational feasibility study to assess the capacity of the proposed line to accommodate passenger and freight traffic, an important next step in the process to restore passenger service between Reading and Philadelphia.

“I’m very excited that the CFA grant will enable us to move one step closer to restoring passenger service between Reading and Philadelphia,” Ciresi said. “This project would transform the region by reducing traffic congestion, promoting economic development and community revitalization, protecting the environment, and improving residents’ quality of life.”

Funding for Pottstown’s LED streetlight conversion project would be in addition to the $250,000 in funding announced by Ciresi earlier in March.

The state grants came from the Multimodal Transportation Fund and the Statewide Local Share Account Program. The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth.

Statewide Local Share Account grant program funds are used for public projects that improve the quality of life of community residents.

The funds distributed through the Statewide Local Share Account grant program come from gaming revenues. Act 71 of 2004 provides for the distribution of gaming revenues to support projects in the public interest within the state.

The CFA is an independent state agency responsible for administering Pennsylvania's economic stimulus programs. More information about its programs is available here.