Train Along Route 422 Is A Top Priority, Local State Rep. Candidate Says

The following letter to the editor was submitted by candidate for Pennsylvania State Representative Joe Ciresi. To submit a letter to the editor at Patch, please email justin.heinze@patch.com.

I hope Route 422 commuters can soon take SEPTA to their jobs in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Those who drive on this four-lane state highway know all about the daily delays, backups and fatalities.

So why hasn’t train service in this area become reality? I believe part of the problem is that local legislators have not advocated and pushed for it enough.

There is an old cliche, “They squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Well, I will be the loudest proponent in Harrisburg for this project, if elected on Nov. 8. I will seek out every federal and state grant opportunity, and personally lobby our elected officials in Washington. To be clear, I will not support any tolls on Route 422.

Here in western Montgomery County, transportation planners have long floated the idea of extending the Norristown/Manayunk SEPTA line to Pottstown and Reading as a way to alleviate highway congestion. Afterall, Limerick’s population exploded by 34 percent between 2000 and 2010 -- the second-largest increase in the county. Meanwhile, Perkiomen Township grew 29 percent, according to county data.

Passenger rail service would provide valuable relief to our infrastructure, taking thousands of cars off our highways and providing a regional link that would help revitalize the boroughs of Pottstown and Royersford, while boosting our regional economy.

Southeastern Pennsylvania provides a significant amount of revenue to the state in general income/sales taxes, gasoline taxes and Turnpike toll fees. For too long, that money has been diverted to fund projects in the rest of the state, with our region being neglected.

I will fight to make sure that the 146th district and western Montgomery County has a strong and loud voice in Harrisburg, and that we get our fair share of funding. One of my top priorities will be making sure that passenger rail service restoration between Pottstown and Philadelphia becomes a priority.

To learn more, visit www.CiresiForPA.com.

#####

Joe Ciresi, a resident of Limerick with his wife and son, has served as a Spring-Ford Area School Board director for 11 years. For the last 14 years, he has worked as the Director of Sales and Promotions at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The 146th District includes the boroughs of Trappe, Royersford and part of Pottstown, as well as Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove and Perkiomen townships.

Image courtesy Ciresi campaign.