U.S. reps push for tri-state rail system

Late last February, four U.S. Congressmen drafted a letter addressed to Governor Rendell in hopes of gaining support for a commuter railway system that would connect the tri-state area.

In the letter, Reps. Paul Kanjorski and Chris Carney, and Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey pleaded their case, urging Rendell to form a Tri - State Authority between Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York to oversee the management of the proposed project to provide rail services between Northeastern Pennsylvania and New York City.

They said the, “…proposed rail will serve as a tremendous economic development initiative by allowing consumers in New York and New Jersey to visit attractions in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” adding that the 100-mile system across New Jersey would also make the Poconos and Pennsylvania casinos more accessible, something I feel is a great idea.

New Jersey Transit says it has invested $40 million in the  Lackawanna Cut-off Project, in an effort to re-establish a 28-mile stretch that runs between Port Morris, N.J., and the Delaware Water Gap which once served as a route for commuter trains, but was dismantled when the property was sold years ago. Otherwise, rail lines between Scranton and New York are mostly in place.

The 60-mile stretch from Scranton to the Pennsylvania border already holds one line that hosts freight trains, but it will have to be upgraded with more ties to accommodate higher speeds — 40 mph for freight and 60 mph for passenger trains.
The Congressional delegation expressed their concern that the current sponsor of the project, NJ transit, has made minor progress and has not sufficiently promoted the interests of Pennsylvania.

According to a spokesperson for Kanjorski, the  reason that minimal progress has been made is because the NJ Transit runs the show, and they have little interest in Pennsylvania. A prime reason why the reps want to create a tri-state authority to ensure every member has an equal say.

Despite a need for a new method to govern the project, Governor Rendell has expressed mixed emotions.

Rendell spokesperson Chuck Ardo said, “The governor is luke warm towards the formation of a commission, he believes that very little gets done through that process,” adding that he Rendell believes there would be more conversation than accomplishment.

Despite the governor’s initial reaction, Ardo said that Rendell would be working with the Commonwealth and New Jersey to obtain money from the infrastructure fund to finance the project.

I admire Rendell’s efforts, however, I am worried that even if the project is poperly funded, the way in which business is being conducted might interfere with production. We need a tri-state authority.

Currently, the fate of the railway is still uncertain. If lawmakers are able to secure funding, residents could see a commuter system emerge in the next few years, which would open up a world of travel, convenience, and possibly give NEPA’s local economy the spark that it has been missing.