City of Chester Selected for Amtrak Grant to Enhance Transportation Safety

CHESTER, Pa. (Dec. 16, 2024) – The City of Chester announced its selection by Amtrak as a beneficiary of $126 million in grants, funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to provide a safer public transportation corridor through the City. 

Amtrak will allocate up to $7.7 million of funds from the FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program to Chester, which will go toward installing high-security steel fencing along a segment of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) running through the City. With the new fencing, the City hopes to reduce unauthorized access along the NEC and, thus, increase safety for those using the transit system.

Chester’s high-security fence project is one of only six projects from around the country that have been selected for the Amtrak’s grants provided by the FRA.

“The City of Chester is grateful to Amtrak’s and the FRA for this grant because it is one more step in making our city even safer and more secure for all traveling to and from here,” said Mayor Stefan Roots. “The funding arrives at a pivotal time, as we are deep at work with reestablishing Chester as a top destination and place to live in the region and country. We can’t get there without the help of our partners like Amtrak.”

This project follows several initiatives by the City to steer itself toward economic revitalization. As Chester’s Receivership team is implementing a financial recovery plan to bring it out of bankruptcy, Mayor Roots and City leaders are spearheading efforts to beautify its neighborhoods and downtown area with the help of local, state and federal funding, to develop affordable housing, to make infrastructure improvements, and to attract businesses and investors.

The project is also the latest of several public safety measures implemented to make Chester a safer place to live, work and play. Last summer, the City launched its first Safe Summer initiative which included a curfew for residents 17 and younger. It also expanded staffing and patrol hours for the Chester Police Department to provide round-the-clock street supervision.

“Strong public and private partnerships are key to Chester’s revitalization. Capital investments such as Amtrak’s make it possible,” said Mayor Roots.

For more information on the City of Chester’s efforts toward economic revitalization, visit its website. To learn more about the City’s financial recovery plan, visit the Receiver for the City of Chester’s website.