KOP Rail Takes an Exciting Step Forward

King of Prussia District is excited to share an important advancement in SEPTA’s KOP Rail project. KOP Rail is a proposed extension of the Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) that will promote and strengthen growth across the Greater Philadelphia region by providing fast and reliable rail service between the region’s three largest employment centers—Center City, University City and King of Prussia.

Lat week, SEPTA released KOP Rail’s Refined Route, the improved design of the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) identified in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and new renderings of the project. This is an integral step towards completing the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and commencement of engineering for 30% design.

The design work, performed by HNTB, Inc. was funded from an existing federal grant. This work refines the project design and addresses a range of issues including rail alignment, station locations, property and environmental impacts, maintenance and rail operations. The design refinements are a result of public input, comments at the public hearings, coordination with affected property owners and engineering criteria, as well as existing land use and future opportunities.

King of Prussia District is a proud member of the King of Prussia Rail Coalition, a diverse group of commercial property owners, elected officials, residents, employees, visitors, economic development and job growth agencies, chambers of commerce and more from the Philadelphia region, working together to garner support for the project. The Coalition believes that KOP Rail is a necessary investment for our region to remain competitive and will bring the following benefits:

• Help reduce congestion on area roadways
• Be a catalyst for economic development in KOP and other points along the existing NSHL line
• Grow short and long-term jobs
• Increase property values along the line, especially near proposed stations
• Create walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods around the proposed stations

“It’s exciting to see such a transformative transportation project advance,” said Jerry Sweeney, President and CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust, and Chairman of the KOP Rail Coalition Advisory Committee. “King of Prussia Rail is essential to support evolving needs and is a smart investment.”

Visit SEPTA’s KOP Rail website to explore their interactive map, view new project renderings and learn more about this transformative project, and then, share your support at KOPRailCoalition.com