King of Prussia Rail Project to move to the next phase

By: Stan Huskey
The King of Prussia Rail Coalition applauds SEPTA’s Board decision today to approve the Locally Preferred Alternative as presented in the King of Prussia Rail Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) with the North/South design option.  This action paves the way for the start of the Final Environmental Impact Statement phase of the project, according to a press release issued by SEPTA.

King of Prussia Rail will extend the existing Norristown High Speed Line into King of Prussia, providing a one-seat ride to King of Prussia from either 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby, or Norristown Transportation Center in Norristown. This transformative project will connect the three largest employment centers in the Philadelphia region – Center City, University City and King of Prussia – and will serve as a catalyst for economic development for the entire region.  Among its many benefits, King of Prussia Rail will connect employers to a broader pool of employees, reduce commute times and emissions, and spur on job growth.

“The King of Prussia Rail Coalition enthusiastically supports SEPTA’s decision to adopt the Locally Preferred Alternative and sees this as a major step forward for our region,” said Jerry Sweeney, President and CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust, and Chair of the King of Prussia Rail Coalition’s Advisory Committee.  “Investments like the King of Prussia Rail are necessary for our region to maintain its competitive advantage.”

The King of Prussia Rail Coalition seeks to build support from elected officials, employees, commercial property owners, local businesses, residents, visitors, regional economic development and job growth agencies, and chambers of commerce for the proposed extension of SEPTA’s Norristown High Speed Line into King of Prussia.  To date, over 650 people and companies have endorsed the project on the Coalition’s website, koprailcoalition.com.

Joining Sweeney on the King of Prussia Rail Coalition’s Advisory Committee are Michael G. Anastasio, President of Bala Consulting, Engineers, Inc.; Thomas A. Caramanico, President of McCormick Taylor, Inc.; Bernie Dagenais, President of Main Line Chamber of Commerce; Rev. Peter M. Donohue, President of Villanova University; Pat Eiding, President of Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO; John Fry, President of Drexel University; Gerry Geckle, Vice President of Human Resources at Universal Health Services; William H. Glazer, CEO of Keystone Property Group; Eric Goldstein, Executive Director of King of Prussia District; Rob Henry, Executive Director of GVF; Ira Lubert, President of Lubert-Adler Real Estate Funds; Kevin Mahoney, EVP & Chief Administrative Officer of University of Pennsylvania Health Systems; John L. Walsh, President & CEO of UGI/Amerigas; and Rob Wonderling, President of Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. 
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