(rshsdepot) Lancaster, PA

["jdent1_@_optonline.net" <jdent1@optonline.net>]

Paradise train plans leave the station
By RYAN ROBINSON
Dec 17, 2002, 14:07
Lancaster New Era

   =20
You may be able to hop aboard an Amtrak train in Paradise as early as the
summer of 2004=2E
Plans for a new rail station along Route 30, west of Belmont Road, seem to=

be roaring down the tracks=2E

Tonight, Jim Lutz of the Red Rose Transit Authority and Chris Neumann of
the Lancaster County Planning Commission will present information about th=
e
proposed $2=2E6 million Paradise railroad station to residents=2E

The 6 p=2Em=2E meeting will be at the township municipal building, 196
Blackhorse Road=2E

"The environmental assessment shows the preliminary design of the station
at the location now chosen is feasible,'' Lutz said=2E "We want to try to
receive comments from citizens in the area=2E Our intention, based on thos=
e
comments, is to plan to move forward with the station=2E''

Much of the design has been worked out, he said, so the project is ready t=
o
go=2E

"Most questions that needed answered, have been,'' Lutz said=2E "Possible
opening would be summer 2004 at the earliest=2E''

Township Supervisor Carl Meshey expects that residents will support the
project at its new location=2E

Many residents strongly opposed the project a few years ago when it was
originally planned along Pequea Lane, north of Route 30=2E

They said it would be a huge cost to taxpayers and would attract unwanted
buses and development to their small town=2E

The project is now slotted for a 6-acre tract at Stock Building Supply,
just south of Lincoln Highway East, a mile east of the former site=2E

"Residents didn't like it where it was, but I think they will like it
now,'' Meshey said, adding that he thinks supervisors will also back the
project=2E "I don't think there will be any problems=2E''

The project currently is planned for 2005 on the county's 2003-06
Transportation Improvement Program list=2E The list prioritizes projects t=
hat
require federal funding=2E

But Neumann said he expects the Transportation Technical Advisory Committe=
e
to recommend moving the project to 2003 at a meeting in February=2E

"This will help transportation in the county by providing more access to
the Amtrak system,'' said Neumann, the deputy director of transportation
planning=2E "The largest gap between stations along the line is between
Lancaster County and Parkesburg (in Chester County)=2E This station would =
be
almost midway between them=2E''

The environmental assessment says the Paradise Rail Station will cut
vehicle miles of travel in the county by as much as 3,400 miles daily=2E

The county planning commission estimates the station would have 102 daily
boardings=2E Twenty-nine of those would take the place of highway trips to=

Philadelphia or Harrisburg=2E Another 20 boardings would be by Strasburg R=
ail
Road patrons=2E

But nearly half of all the boardings would be by Amtrak passengers who
usually board at Lancaster or Parkesburg=2E

The station would allow passengers to link directly with the Strasburg Rai=
l
Road=2E

Neumann said future improvements could include shuttle buses transferring
passengers from the state railroad museum to tourist attractions along
routes 896 and 30=2E

The overall aim is to transport more tourists by rail to relieve the
sometimes-snarled automobile traffic in the area=2E

"It has the ability to bring individuals in conventions from Philadelphia
and visitors from all over,'' Lutz said=2E "We think that has a tremendous=

potential, without the drawbacks of additional automobile traffic=2E It ma=
kes
sense to have the link=2E''

Preliminary cost estimates for the project include:

*dot*$807,000 for station construction;

*dot*$1=2E2 million for Strasburg Railroad turntable and track constructio=
n;

*dot*$285,000 for final engineering and design;

*dot*$394,000 for Amtrak//contingency=2E

Funding to cover these expenses will include $2=2E1 million in federal fun=
ds,
$442,000 from the state and $88,000 in local funds, according to RRTA=2E

Meshey said the local portion will come from a transportation grant
approved for Paradise Township when the project was proposed for Pequea
Lane=2E

Lutz said RRTA hopes to select a consultant for the rail station's final
design phase this month=2E The project should take 18-24 months to complet=
e=2E

The new rail station would be next to where the township is building new
municipal facilities, expected to cost $1=2E2 million=2E

Construction of a new maintenance building is under way=2E Meshey said the=

township offices building still must go through the bidding process=2E

Access to the station would be provided by a new roadway intersecting with=

Route 30 near Stock Building Supply=2E The station will share a driveway w=
ith
vehicles entering and exiting that business=2E






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=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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