Sen. Mellow (right) joins state Rep. Mike Carroll (center) in presenting a check for $210,000 to Avoca Mayor Robert Mullen.

MELLOW AND CARROLL ANNOUNCE RAIL FREIGHT GRANT TO AVOCA BOROUGH HARRISBURG, April 16, 2008 – State Senator Robert J. Mellow (D-Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe) and State Representative Mike Carroll (D-Luzerne, Monroe) today announced a $210,000 Rail Freight Assistance Grant to Avoca Borough in Luzerne County. The grant will be used as part of a $300,000 project to realign existing curved track and remove a small bridge along the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad Company Susquehanna branch to alleviate flooding issues for the borough and the railroad. According to engineers, the steel-beamed bridge under U.S. Route 11 will be removed and the tracks realigned toward the western edge of Mill Creek to help alleviate flood damage the bridge has sustained in recent years. “These funds will help correct a problem that has caused disruption in service for the railroad and those that they serve,” said the Senator. “The problem has also has been a nightmare for residents of Avoca Borough who have seen their properties damaged on a number of occasions because of flooding caused by the current conditions in that area.” Rep. Carroll added “flooding conditions also damage the railroad’s tracks resulting in derailments, creating a serious safety concern for residents, while at the same time disrupting rail service to area employers.” The grant is being administered by PennDOT’s rail freight assistance program. ###