Senate OKs money for Scranton-NYC commuter railroad
The Wayne Independent
Sep 21, 2009
U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey today announced that the full U.S. Senate has approved federal funding for several Pennsylvania transportation projects. The projects are contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Bill which passed the Senate Thursday night, September 17, by a vote of 73-25.
There was one project included in the northeast, $3 million for the Northwest New Jersey to Northeast Pennsylvania Passenger Rail Project. This will provide commuter train service from Scranton to New York City. The commuter rail would provide service to Monroe, Wayne, Lackawanna and Pike Counties in Pennsylvania, which include the fastest growing counties in Pennsylvania in terms of population.
"I am pleased that my colleagues have recognized the importance of these transportation projects in Pennsylvania," said Senator Specter. "These projects are necessary advancements to improve our roadways, mass transit infrastructure and an important force for economic growth in our local communities."
"I applaud my colleagues for their work this week in passing the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill," said Senator Casey. "The projects secured in this bill will directly benefit Pennsylvanians by improving infrastructure and creating jobs."
The bill must be conferenced with the House of Representatives and signed into law by the President before funding is final.
