SCRANTON, LACAKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Talks of a passenger train connecting Scranton and New York City continued Thursday night as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) weighed in on where the project stands.

A virtual meeting was held to discuss route options, locations for potential stops, and an overview of the progress so far.

After more than 50 years, a passenger route connecting Scranton to New York City could finally be back in business.

Passenger railroad one step closer to connecting NYC to the region

While the project is still in the early stages of planning, the line shows a promising future for business and travel in northeast Pennsylvania.

PennDOT discussed two potential routes between the two cities and both would involve a roughly 3-hour trip to and from the Steamtown Station, but, as of now, it would not be a nonstop trip.

Officials with PennDOT say the infrastructure is, for the most part, already in place but still needs to be evaluated for potential upgrades.

While talk of the project has been circulating for years, this is the most progress that’s been made towards getting it off the ground.

Angela Watson, Director of the PennDOT Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports and Waterways, said, “We know there’s a long history with the project but we finally do have the financial opportunity through the federal government to move through this corridor ID program. So, we are very hopeful.”

While the project is not a done deal the discussions happening now are promising and show potential in restoring passenger service between the two cities.

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