PennDOT Invites Public to Attend Planning Workshop for Coatesville Train Station

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PennDOT invites the public to take part in a multi-day workshop later this month to discuss improvement plans for the Coatesville train station. The station is located on the Keystone Corridor, which provides high-speed rail service between Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

PennDOT, in partnership with Chester County Planning Commission and the City of Coatesville, is seeking public input on ways to improve access, create a welcoming environment and improve station amenities. The workshop is part of an overall revitalization strategy for downtown Coatesville.

"Residents of communities along the Keystone Corridor enjoy the benefit of convenient transportation access," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "Public input is essential to discussions on how to take advantage of this access, as well as how to improve the community's vitality."

On Aug. 16, the public is invited to attend an opening presentation at Coatesville City Hall to introduce the project and findings to date. Workshops will be held the next three days at the Olivet United Methodist Church. Community members will have opportunities to share their thoughts on alternate station designs and a plan for the future station area. The full schedule is as follows:

• Monday, Aug. 16 – Coatesville City Hall (prior to Redevelopment Authority regular meeting); 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – opening presentation.
• Tuesday, Aug. 17 - Olivet United Methodist Church; 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - public workshop.
• Wednesday, Aug. 18 - Olivet United Methodist Church; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - public workshop.
• Thursday, Aug. 19 - Olivet United Methodist Church; 9 a.m. to noon - public workshop; 6 p.m. - final public presentation.

The church is located at 310 East Chestnut St., Coatesville. Parking is available across from the church, between Chestnut and Lumber Street, as well as a lot at the corner of North Third Avenue and Fleetwood Street. On-street parking is also available next to the building.

The current Coatesville station does not comply with federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The workshop will address this issue and explore potential methods to further enhance the station and its surroundings during this project.

The Coatesville workshop is part of PennDOT's larger planning effort, "Plan the Keystone," which aims to involve the community to help enhance transit service and strengthen the communities served by the Keystone Line. Community members can participate in person at public workshops, or contribute their ideas through the "Plan the Keystone" website at www.planthekeystone.com.

According to Biehler, "Plan the Keystone" is part of PennDOT's Smart Transportation initiative aimed at linking transportation investments to land-use planning and local decision making.  

For more information about Plan the Keystone and the Coatesville planning effort, visit www.planthekeystone.com.  

Media contact: Erin Waters, 717-783-8800

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Transportation