By DAVID PIERCE
Pocono Record Writer
dpierce@poconorecord.com
EAST STROUDSBURG — The Monroe County Railroad
Authority will be able to fulfill an old commitment and keep alive prospects
for eventual commuter train service to metropolitan New York by early 2007,
thanks to a $3.15 million state grant announced Thursday.
The money will be used to pay off what remains of a
$4 million MCRA share for buying the 28-mile Lackawanna Cutoff, a rail
right-of-way that includes the Slateford Rail Bridge near Portland. The New
Jersey Transportation Department fronted MCRA's share of the $21 million
purchase from a private developer, with the local railroad authority signing
a promissory note to eventually repay the Garden State.
New Jersey DOT received an initial $985,000
repayment, with Rep. Kelly Lewis, R-189, inserting a $3.015 million request
in previous capital budget bills. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker
authorized release of the money just prior to leaving office in January, but
Gov. Ed Rendell froze all capital projects pending his administration's
review of each request. Rendell has since agreed to authorize the money,
Lewis announced at a press conference near the old Dansbury Depot.
"For the first time in 20 years, the actual railroad
right-of-way from Monroe County to New York City is owned and controlled by
the railroad groups," said Lewis. "We kept pushing and we kept prodding to
get there."
The right-of-way acquisition is another step in
efforts by officials from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Monroe County, and
Lackawanna County to restore passenger and freight rail service between the
Scranton area and the Poconos, through New Jersey to Hoboken on the
outskirts of New York City. Eventual passenger service across New Jersey has
been anxiously anticipated by many of the estimated 18,000 Monroe County
residents who commute daily to jobs in the east.
Some officials optimistically predicted that
commuter rail service would be a reality by this year. Latest estimates,
however, call for passenger service in late 2006 or early 2007.
"This helps close another chapter so that we can
move on," said Bob Hay, MCRA chairman.
Remaining tasks include winning approval of
Pennsylvania's $40 million share of the reconstruction project, along with
finalization of an operating agreement between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Those steps will clear the way for the two states to seek federal
transportation funds "which are waiting there in Washington for us to go
after," said Lewis.
Rep. Mario Scavello, R-176, said he knows from
personal experience the need for commuter rail service.
"I, as a commuter for 8½ years, know the value of
getting an alternative commuter system established," said Scavello, pointing
to the difficulty of improving existing road systems. "The only way we're
going to be able to do it and do it safely is with the rail."
Scavello said restored rail service also will bring
more tourism to the Poconos, while spurring manufacturing jobs along the
line.
Larry C. Malski, a Lackawanna County rail line
official who has worked closely with the MCRA, said revitalization of the
local rail line already has resulted in three new businesses in Monroe
County. This includes a flour mill and a propane company, he said.
Rep. David Argall, the House Appropriations
Committee chairman, also was on hand for the announcement, saying that Lewis
and Scavello have lobbied him for rail funding since the moment Argall was
named to his leadership post.
"They've done their homework," Argall said. "They
have persevered." |
