New Regional Rail Proposal Would Connect Phoenixville To Philly

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Preliminary talks are officially underway to bring passenger rail service to Phoenixville.

Developers are proposing two alternatives. The first option, which has been formally presented, involves extending the Manayunk/Norristown line into Phoenixville. Because the infrastructure for this line is already largely in place, it is the cheaper and quicker alternative.

A second project is a longer term "greenline" project, which would connect Phoenixville to the Paoli Train Station on the Main Line.

A presentation was given by Phoenixville developer Manny DeMutis to Phoenixville's Borough Council on Tuesday night. The council agreed that the borough would act as the political subdivision sponsoring an official feasibility study, funded by the DeMutis Group, officials confirmed.

Patch has reached out to SEPTA for comment on the proposal.

Talks of bringing passenger rail service to Phoenixville have been swirling for years, if not decades. Local leaders have strongly advocated for a rail line that would reduce traffic along the increasingly busy Route 422 corridor, with specific concern for the ongoing commercial and residential growth in the Phoenixville area. Advocates of past proposals have also pointed towards environmental benefits.

There are, of course, complications. Developers propose connecting Phoenixville to the Manayunk/Norristown line via both the existing non-electrified Norfolk Southern freight track, and via SEPTA's electrified track through the Center City Connector Tunnel. In their announcement outlining the proposal, the DeMutis Group pointed to "institutional issues" which could complicate access to the Norfolk Southern tracks, meaning that it's no sure thing that access to existing stations, parking areas, and even the tracks themselves would be granted.

>>SEPTA Rail To King Of Prussia Approved

Organizers said that the rail would initially operate in a "demonstration" phase for two years, during which the train would run during weekday peak-periods only, in order to show its viability. After two years, if successful, officials said the service offerings would grow.

While the second Phoenixville-Paoli proposal would not be immediately implemented, officials said consideration of its creation is important now because the new Paoli Transportation Center project is currently underway, and that Center needs to be designed in a way that could handle the potential greenline from Phoenixville.

That plan could potentially be complicated by right-of-way issues, as the greenline would likely need to pass through private property along Route 29.

Petitions from citizens, pleas from local lawmakers, and even proposals by college students relating to a Phoenixville area rail have been swirling over the past few years. SEPTA recently approved a plan to extend the Norristown High Speed Line into King of Prussia, leaving many wondering why the Route 422 corridor had been left behind.

The notion of converting freight tracks for passenger use has been brought up before. Another proposal, the Schuylkill Valley Metro, proposed a 62 mile rail utilizing both Norfolk Southern Railway freight lines in combination with the existing Manayunk-Norristown line and Cynwyd line.

In the short term, the latest proposal for the borough council asks for a 20 person taskforce, which will include three borough council members.

Former Phoenixville Revitalization Coordinator Barry Cassidy has been put in charge of the project.

The detailed proposal will be presented before Phoenixville's borough council for vote on May 8.

Patch file photo