Members Request Creation of Tri-State Authority to Lead the Project and Move the Initiative Forward

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11), Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and Congressman Christopher P. Carney (PA-10) sent a letter to Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell urging him 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.  The Congressional delegation expressed their concern that the current sponsor of the project, New Jersey Transit, has made only minor progress in moving forward, and has not sufficiently promoted the interests of Pennsylvania.  In addition, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and other leaders in the state of New York have expressed interest in extending the line from Scranton to Binghamton and Syracuse.

By creating a Tri-State Authority, this entity could become the sole sponsor of the project, helping to advance the project more rapidly.  In the letter, the Members request that Governor Rendell work with the states of New Jersey and New York to create such an authority, and that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) actively support the entity.

"Since my election to Congress, I have been a strong advocate for this project, especially regarding a high speed rail, as it could provide extensive rewards for Northeastern Pennsylvania and its residents," said Congressman Kanjorski.  "In order to advance this project in a more efficient way, we must create a Tri-State Authority to oversee the project, as I have discussed in the past, so that all parties involved can effectively work together.  I strongly encourage Governor Rendell to work with the other states on this necessary step."

Congressman Kanjorski added, "Additionally, in advance of a recovery package, I held a meeting in January where I stressed to New Jersey Transit the need to finalize ongoing assessments in order to try to make the project eligible to receive funding from the recovery bill.  Unfortunately, New Jersey Transit has been slow to respond over the many years it has been the lead sponsor of this project.  While the recovery package is prepared to fund ready-to-go projects, to my disappointment, this project is not at such a stage.  Despite my frustrations, I have scoured the bill to find potential ways to secure funding for the project and I have found three possible options.  While it will still be difficult to secure funding for the project through the recovery package, I strongly encourage the project sponsor to aggressively apply to these programs.  I will continue to support this mission as I strongly feel that a railroad to New York is in Northeastern Pennsylvania's best interest."

"Completing the Scranton to New York City Passenger Rail Project is a priority and I will continue to work at the federal level to secure funding to make the commuter rail a reality." Senator Specter said.  "The creation of a Tri-State Authority is an important step in ensuring the interests of Pennsylvania are represented as the project moves forward."

"The restoration of rail service from Northeast Pennsylvania to the New York metropolitan area will be an economic boon to the region and to the Commonwealth," said Senator Casey.  "Connecting the region to this center of business and commerce will not only help the commuters already traveling on a daily basis, but will also encourage economic development in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  I strongly support this project and will continue to work with the delegation to move it forward."

"As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, I am a strong believer in developing our passenger rail system," said Congressman Carney.  "Northeast Pennsylvania has a tremendous opportunity to develop a high speed rail to New York City, which would ease congestion on our roads as well as create more economic opportunities for our region. We need a nonpartisan, impartial Tri-State Authority to become the project's primary sponsor and work closely with PennDOT to investigate all opportunities for this proposed rail to become a success."

The text of the letter to Governor Rendell from February 24 follows:

The Honorable Edward G. Rendell

Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Office of the Governor

Main Capitol

Harrisburg, PA 17120

Dear Governor Rendell:

The purpose of this letter is to reaffirm our strong support for restoring passenger rail service between Northeastern Pennsylvania and the New York City metropolitan area, commonly known as the Lackawanna Cut-Off Passenger Rail Restoration Project.  Furthermore, we respectfully request you work with the states of New Jersey and New York to form a Tri-State Authority to oversee management of this project.  The creation of a balanced Tri-State partnership will ensure that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will receive maximum benefit as this project moves forward.  We appreciate your attention to this matter.

As you know, the Lackawanna Cut-Off Passenger Rail Restoration Project involves re-establishing commuter rail service from Northeastern Pennsylvania to the New York City metropolitan area.  There is a dire need for this service to help alleviate traffic congestion as many of our constituents commute to New York City on Interstate 80.  In addition, 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 including Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and other recreation areas in the Poconos, Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton and the newly-opened casinos in Luzerne and Monroe Counties. 

For the past 20 years, several agencies in New Jersey have been the primary project sponsor with New Jersey Transit (NJT) currently the primary sponsor.  As a result, the only significant progress made to date has been within the state of New Jersey.  Moreover, it is our understanding that on numerous occasions in the past, NJT failed to report the necessary information about the Pennsylvania portion of the rail line to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as required for the environmental assessment of the project.  Based on conversations with officials from FTA, it is our understanding this project is nearing the end of the environmental assessment phase and will move into the preliminary engineering phase shortly. 

In order to ensure that the Pennsylvania portion of the rail line continues to move forward in a timely fashion, we believe the creation of an impartial Tri-State Authority is necessary.  Once created, the Tri-State Authority would become the primary project sponsor.  Moreover, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) must actively support this proposed Tri-State Authority.  Strong involvement from PennDOT will ensure the Commonwealth receives its fair share of the economic benefit of this project. 

In closing, please know that we remain committed to doing what is necessary at the federal level to advance this project.  We look forward to continuing to work with you on this or any other matter of importance to our shared constituency.  Thank you for consideration of our views. 

Sincerely,

Paul E. Kanjorski                     Arlen Specter  

Member of Congress                Member of Congress

Robert P. Casey Jr.                 Christopher P. Carney

Member of Congress                Member of Congress

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