PRINTER'S NO. 929
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
169
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY PASHINSKI, HARKINS, ROZZI, MILLARD, KOTIK, BOBACK,
HELM, DRISCOLL, HENNESSEY, SIMS, THOMAS, McNEILL, D. COSTA,
SCHWEYER, CALTAGIRONE, READSHAW, FLYNN, KIRKLAND, COHEN,
MATZIE, MURT, DONATUCCI, DeLUCA, MAHONEY, RADER, MARSHALL,
SCHREIBER AND KORTZ, MARCH 13, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 13, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study of the feasibility of providing passenger
rail service between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton in conjunction
with the proposed restoration of passenger rail service
between Scranton and New York City.
WHEREAS, In a letter to the President of the United States
dated April 21, 2009, United States Senators Robert P. Casey,
Jr., and Arlen Specter, together with Senators Charles E.
Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, announced their support to
restore passenger rail service from Binghamton, New York,
through Scranton, to New York City; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak has agreed to conduct a feasibility study of
the Scranton to New York City link, known as the Lackawanna
Cutoff project; and
WHEREAS, In June 2009, the United States Environmental
Protection Agency declared a finding of no significant impact
for a new passenger rail line between Morris County, New Jersey,
and Scranton, a vital section of the Lackawanna Cutoff; and
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WHEREAS, This more than two-decades-long effort to restore
rail service from the Poconos region to New York City appears to
be nearing the engineering and construction funding phase; and
WHEREAS, Several extensions of service have already been
proposed and are being seriously considered, including north to
Binghamton, New York; and
WHEREAS, A previously commissioned, federally funded study
conducted by the Redevelopment Authority of Luzerne County
determined that the physical track alignment is already in place
to do so, thus requiring no additional right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey Transit has already begun construction to
restore a portion of the Lackawanna Cutoff; and
WHEREAS, As of the beginning of 2015, New Jersey Transit has
laid approximately 4.25 miles of track, cleared part of the
right-of-way of trees and debris, and put out to bid the
construction of a train station in Andover Township, New Jersey;
and
WHEREAS, Luzerne County residents deserve the same
consideration and opportunity for employment, as well as the
other economic opportunities afforded to the municipalities the
passenger line would serve as is now proposed; and
WHEREAS, Establishing passenger service between Wilkes-Barre
and Scranton would benefit economic development efforts in the
greater Hazleton area should service eventually be extended to
the region; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth would be remiss in not determining
if continuation of this rail service to Wilkes-Barre is feasible
at this pivotal juncture, especially considering the relatively
short distance and minimal expense incurred in doing so;
therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of
the feasibility of providing passenger rail service between
Wilkes-Barre and Scranton in conjunction with the proposed
restoration of passenger rail service between Scranton and New
York City; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study determine if the benefits outweigh
the costs related to providing passenger rail service from
Wilkes-Barre to Scranton in conjunction with the Lackawanna
Cutoff project; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the study include a review of the:
(1) Alignment and trackage necessary to provide
passenger rail service between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.
(2) Preferred ownership and management structure and
operational requirements to provide such service.
(3) Anticipated ridership for Wilkes-Barre to Scranton
passenger rail service;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee issue its report to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives within one year from the date of
adoption of this resolution.
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