HARRISBURG, DAUPHIN CO. (WOLF) — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is taking the next major step toward restoring passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City, announcing new progress on a long-studied rail corridor and inviting the public to weigh in later this month.
PennDOT officials say the Scranton-to-New York Penn Station project has advanced to the second phase of federal development under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, making it one of only five rail expansion efforts nationwide to reach that milestone.
As part of the planning process, PennDOT will host a virtual public meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, where residents can learn more about the proposed service and provide feedback. The online meeting will outline possible routes, station locations and service options, and a recording will remain available online for at least 60 days.
State transportation leaders say the project has the potential to significantly improve mobility and economic opportunities in northeastern Pennsylvania.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said the Shapiro Administration is prioritizing passenger rail alongside continued investments in roads and bridges, calling the Scranton-to-New York corridor a transformative opportunity for the region.
The project is being developed through PennDOT’s Service Development Plan, which includes public and stakeholder outreach, service and ridership analysis, environmental review, cost estimates, and long-term financial planning. The goal is to determine how intercity passenger rail service could be restored and sustained along the roughly 140-mile corridor.
If implemented, the service would provide three daily round trips connecting Scranton with New York City, with potential stops in East Stroudsburg and Mount Pocono, as well as several locations in New Jersey, including Blairstown, Dover, Montclair, Morristown and Newark. Officials say the route would offer a reliable alternative to driving in a corridor known for heavy traffic and unpredictable travel times.
The corridor last saw passenger rail service in 1970, when it was operated by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. While much of the rail right-of-way remains intact and in use for freight or commuter service, some portions — including segments of the historic Lackawanna Cutoff — would need to be rebuilt.
The planning effort is funded through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program, with the federal government covering 90 percent of the estimated $5.46 million cost of the Service Development Plan. PennDOT is providing the remaining 10 percent.
PennDOT is leading the project in partnership with Amtrak, which is proposed as the service operator, along with the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Rail Authority, New Jersey Department of Transportation, and New Jersey Transit.
Once the planning phase is completed and approved by federal officials, the project would move into preliminary engineering and environmental review — key steps before construction and service decisions are made.
More information and registration details for the public meeting are available on PennDOT’s Advancing PA Rail website.