HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Shapiro Administration is moving “full steam ahead” on the Scranton to New York Penn Station (NYP) passenger rail corridor project.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced on Thursday that the project has reached a critical federal milestone, remaining one of only five rail expansions in the nation to reach “Step 2” of the development process, according to the news release.
PennDOT will host a virtual public meeting on Thursday, February 19, at 4:00 p.m. to share updates and gather feedback on the plan to restore service that has been dormant for over half a century.
To join the webinar, officials say to register in advance at the project website to receive a meeting invite and webinar link. During the webinar, an overview of the Scranton to New York Rail initiative, a summary of route options, and locations for potential stations will be presented.
The proposed 140-mile route aims to link Northeast Pennsylvania, Northwest New Jersey, and New York City, providing a vital alternative to the heavy auto traffic and unpredictable commute times on regional highways, according to the news release.
The plan includes three daily round trips with potential stops in:
Pennsylvania: Scranton, Mt. Pocono, and East Stroudsburg.
New Jersey: Blairstown, Dover, Montclair, Morristown, and Newark.
“This project will be transformative for the northeastern region’s economy and mobility,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “The department continues aggressively improving roads and bridges while investing every possible state and federal dollar into passenger rail services across the Commonwealth.”