WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz has been named Chair of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA), a significant step in the ongoing effort to restore passenger rail service in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The appointment was announced during the Authority’s January meeting, where Moskowitz succeeded Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, who had served as Chair since SRPRA’s formation in 2022. Moskowitz had previously held the role of Vice-Chair.
Expressing her gratitude for the new position, Moskowitz highlighted the collaborative efforts across Chester, Berks, and Montgomery counties to push the rail initiative forward. “We have been laying the foundation to restore passenger rail service from Reading to Philadelphia and beyond,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation. She also credited the contributions of the board members and Executive Director Tom Frawley.
The SRPRA, established in 2022, has been tasked with overseeing the ambitious rail project. Key milestones achieved include the completion of the first phase of a federal Corridor Identification and Development Program, which lays the groundwork for restoring rail connections between communities like Reading, Pottstown, and Phoenixville to Philadelphia.
Moving ahead, the Authority plans to develop a service plan, followed by engineering and design phases. These steps will require extensive coordination with local, state, and federal partners.
At the same meeting, Montgomery County Commissioner Thomas DiBello was named Vice-Chair, with Phoenixville Mayor Peter Urscheler serving as Treasurer and Montgomery County Planning Director Scott France as Secretary.
The SRPRA continues to make progress, signaling a renewed commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and transportation infrastructure.
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