Bill Text: PA SR146 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: 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.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-04-20 - Transmitted as directed [SR146 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SR146-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1263
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 146 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY MUSTO, JULY 6, 2009
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, JULY 6, 2009
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
WHEREAS, This two-decade-long effort to restore rail service
from the Poconos region to New York City therefore appears to be
nearing the engineering and construction funding phase; and
WHEREAS, Several extensions of this 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, The citizens of Luzerne County deserve the same
consideration and opportunity for employment, as well as other
economic opportunities that would be afforded to the
municipalities that the passenger line would serve, as it is now
proposed; and
WHEREAS, Establishing passenger service between Wilkes-Barre
and Scranton could also benefit economic development efforts in
the greater Hazleton area should service eventually be extended
to that region; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania would be remiss in not determining if
the continuation of this rail service on 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
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Legislative Budget and
Finance Committee to conduct a study to determine if the
benefits outweigh the costs of providing passenger rail service
from Wilkes-Barre to Scranton in conjunction with the Lackawanna
Cutoff project; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
study include a review of the:
(1) Alignment and trackage necessary to provide
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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
Secretary of the Senate within one year from the date of
adoption of this resolution.
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