Published by Lancaster Online, by Staff

February 25, 2014

Columbia & Reading Railway Co. has received a $732,000 state grant to improve its system.

The funding was announced today by Gov. Tom Corbett.

The money will go toward a $1,046,000 project to add and realign track, and to add turnouts.

Columbia & Reading Railway’s grant was among 33 approved by the State Transportation Commission totaling $34.9 million.

The local grant came through the Rail Freight Assistance Program.

Columbia & Reading Railway is a short-line freight-hauling business.

Its 2.5 miles of track are in Columbia Borough and West Hempfield Township. The company dates to 1857, according to newspaper files.

(Staff, "Columbia & Reading Railway gets $732,000 state grant," 2/25/14)