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DRPA/PATCO Light Rail Projects Cited By Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission As “Regional Transportation Program Of The Year”

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission is honoring DRPA/PATCO with its 9th annual “Regional Transportation Program of the Year” award.  The award is being presented at the DVRPC’s Annual Celebration of Regional Excellence on May 20th.

The award recognizes the efforts by the DRPA and PATCO to develop two regional light rail services in Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.  One system would enhance the connection between Center City Philadelphia with the Delaware River Waterfront while the other would provide service between Glassboro and Camden in Southern New Jersey.

Board Chairman, John Estey, says “the DRPA and PATCO are honored by our selection and recognition by the DVRPC.”  Estey adds “I would also like to thank our partners including the City of Philadelphia, SEPTA, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and others for assisting us with the Philadelphia Project.”  DRPA/PATCO anticipates the Philadelphia Waterfront Transit Expansion Project will begin operating in 2016.  According to Estey “the ultimate goal is to implement a world class transit asset that Philadelphians and visitors will be proud to use.”

The New Jersey Project involves an 18 mile corridor from Glassboro to Camden primarily along existing Conrail Right of Way.  Board Vice Chair, Jeff Nash, says “recent public hearings have shown the people of South Jersey stand behind this project.  It is gratifying to see the DVRPC is not only supporting the proposal, but also believes the Glassboro-Camden Line (GCL) will provide significant benefits to the region.”  Service on the GCL could also begin in 2016 and it is projected there will be an average of 18,000 weekday trips by the year 2030.

DRPA CEO and PATCO President, John J. Matheussen says “we are continuing to move both projects forward with the GCL project currently in the Environmental Impact Statement phase and design of the Philadelphia project progressing in the Environmental Assessment Phase in coordination with the Master Plan for the Central Delaware River Waterfront currently under development by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.  We would like to thank the DVRPC for this honor.”

PATCO General Manager, Bob Box, says “we believe the GCL and the Philadelphia Waterfront Transit Expansion Projects will have a significant impact on the entire Delaware Valley Region.  We are delighted the DVRPC has reinforced that belief by naming the Expansion Projects the “Regional Transportation Program of the Year.”
 
The Delaware River Port Authority is a regional transportation agency.  DRPA owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges, PATCO and the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal.  The DRPA also owns the RiverLink Ferry.

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