Amtrak Proposes Adding New Service to Scranton

Here’s a question. With this grant, do they know more about the project than the common public knows?

Is this route further along in corridor ID than we think it is? Or is it something else?

With this money, I can’t imagine they are only doing this “just in case” it happens.

(Also, big question, when’s Corridor ID coming up again? )

The estimates for the other two bridges were $54 million for the Delaware and $16 million for the Paulinskill, in a 2019 report related to restoring "commuter rail". Google Lackawanna Cut off restoration Appendix J if you want to see for yourself.

Something says that this might be a dead project now....

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eolesen wrote: ↑Wed Nov 06, 2024 3:20 pm Something says that this might be a dead project now....

Nah. The CRISI program is already funded, and there's actually some bi-partisan support for some railroad infrastructure programs like this. This corridor actually makes sense to restore passenger service in, and the states have plenty of buy-in on the project.

Projects that should be concerned are things like the unrealistic California HSR project (not the Brightline one).

Nah. They have the money for the consulting work. By the time they get done messing around with that it will be 2028.

Maybe, but that assumes electoral power flips again. This election showed some serious demographic shifts.

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I wonder what that'll do to real estate prices in the southern end of the poconos. If this comes to fruition i'd recommend buying sooner rather than later as i think they'll skyrocket if there's service to NYC.

Jmark wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 3:18 pm I wonder what that'll do to real estate prices in the southern end of the poconos. If this comes to fruition i'd recommend buying sooner rather than later as i think they'll skyrocket if there's service to NYC.

I'd think the opposite.... who in Scranton really wants more people relocating from NY just because they can commute?

I don't think the housing market cares much about their opinions. Simple supply and demand is how that works.

A generic question here from a non-urban person here: Do people really commute almost three hours in each direction on a daily basis? My daily commute is around 45 minutes each direction and I certainly wouldn't want much more than that.

When I look at the Amtrak study which mentions the travel time, I just can't imagine having six hours of a daily commute, even if it is on a comfortable train.

It would be great for visiting NYC for events and such, but I really can't imagine a personal situation where I could justify six hours of a daily commute!

Either way, I hope that service gets restored, and I believe that the nation has lost far too many important railroad transportation corridors due to railroad mergers and short-sighted planning.

eolesen wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 6:46 pm

Jmark wrote: ↑Wed Nov 13, 2024 3:18 pm I wonder what that'll do to real estate prices in the southern end of the poconos. If this comes to fruition i'd recommend buying sooner rather than later as i think they'll skyrocket if there's service to NYC.

I'd think the opposite.... who in Scranton really wants more people relocating from NY just because they can commute?

I don't think you'll see scranton, but stroudsburg, gravel place, etc.. basically anything east of about tobyhanna would be fair game i'd think.

There's a pretty good contingent of commuters on Amtrak's empire service out of ALB, HUD, and RHI for comparison and that commute is BRUTAL. ( I know, I did it for 2 years)

3 hours is a hard no but two hours 3 days a week is something i frequently end up dealing with due to delays and disruptions.