Aug. 24--The Schuylkill Valley Metro -- a $2 billion plan to link Reading and Philadelphia by light-rail passenger line -- is dead in its tracks, state officials said Wednesday. Gov. Ed Rendell apparently put the kibosh on the proposed line during a campaign stop Tuesday in Norristown, Montgomery County. "Schuylkill Valley Metro -- gone. That isn't going to happen," Rendell told The Associated Press. "We'll never get the funding." The proposed metro line would allow customers to ride from the outlets in Wyomissing to Center City Philadelphia. U.S. Rep. James W. Gerlach, a Chester County Republican who represents part of Berks, also disagrees with Rendell and thinks the project will still happen. Berks transportation planner Alan D. Piper said those involved with the project already knew that a $2 billion price tag was too high. Nevertheless, he also thinks the idea has enough merit for officials to try to trim those costs and find private funding. Rendell was unavailable for further comment.