Pennsylvania puts $3.7M toward restoring Poconos passenger rail service link between Scranton, New York City

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Oct. 28—SCRANTON — Pennsylvania made its first significant investment, $3.7 million, to restore passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City through the Poconos and New Jersey.

The funding from the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program would be matched with $3.7 million in federal dollars to install 43,000 new railroad ties on 40 miles of track between Delaware Water Gap and Gouldsboro on the Pocono Mainline, said Larry Malski, president of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, which owns the rail line.

"We're very happy to see the state aboard" the passenger-rail project, Malski said. "This is the real start of the hardware we've been waiting for to start investing in the line."

The rail authority will apply to the federal government for the same amount, $3.7 million, to be the match required under RACP, Malski said. The new railroad ties will allow for trains to reach a top speed of 80 mph in certain straight, level areas needed for the Amtrak Corridor service, Malski said.

The RACP funding helps keep the project on track, said U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8, Moosic.

"This award adds to the building momentum and is a crucial step forward," Cartwright said in a statement applauding the state funding. "A large and diverse group of supporters has come together to ensure we maximize our efforts when it comes to this significant economic development opportunity and it's great to have the Pennsylvania executive branch on our side."

Amtrak previously estimated it could take three to five years to restore service. Installing new ties won't happen until next year, Malski said. The project also will need new signal systems and other upgrades, he said.

"There's a lot to be done. Can it be done in three to five years? If the money's flowing, yes," Malski said.

The RACP funding was awarded through the Monroe County Industrial Development Authority.

Meanwhile, Lackawanna County received nearly $12.5 million in RACP funding for 14 projects, according to announcements by state Sen. Marty Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, state Rep Kyle Mullins, D-112, Blakely and state Rep. Thom Welby, D-113, Scranton.

The Lackawanna County funding and projects included:

—$2 million to 1100 Penn Avenue Development, Scranton, to completely renovate a former manufacturing site's two buildings for conversion into mixed-use, residential and commercial complex.

—$1 million to Johnson College, Scranton, to construct a 2,500-square-foot expansion of Woolworth Hall, other work on Transportation Education Center and final construction of a new gateway building.

—$1 million to Lakeside NEPA Inc., Scranton, to expand inpatient rehabilitation and treat COVID-19-driven mental health issues.

—$1 million to Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania, Scranton, to extensively renovate interior and exterior of 60-year-old building.

—$1 million to Olyphant Small Business Expansion Project to construct additional building and expand the stockroom and office space.

—$1 million to Greenwood Hose Company No. 1, Moosic, to construct a fire/police building.

—$1 million to Abington Redevelopment to redevelop and expand Abington Shopper Center in Clarks Summit and South Abington Twp.

—$1 million to Carbondale Development Partners Phase III to construct medical/commercial building at 40 N. Church St.

—$975,000 to Biden Street Historic Renovation/Scranton Life Realty Inc. to repair roof and facade of Scranton Life building.

—$500,000 to Covington Retail Center by JAC Realty to construct 40,000-square-foot retail center on Route 435.

—$500,000 to 333 Jefferson Ave. project, Scranton, to construct a six-story apartment complex with street-level retail/commercial space. Developer Charles Jefferson hopes to break ground on this project next year and recently revised conceptual designs. "That's such a marquee location, it needs to be a building that holds that corner," he said.

—$500,000 to Leonard Theater, Scranton, to install elevator to make second-floor theater accessible to the disabled. Charles Jefferson bought this property in the 300 block of Adams Avenue several years ago with high hopes of making it a popular downtown venue. "That's a little bit of a heavy lift — it has no elevator and shaft. We've got to take a look at where we're going to put it," he said.

—$500,000 to Indo American Community of Scranton to construct a community center and residential building.

—$500,000 to 105 Corner St., Dunmore, to renovate a large, old building, including roof and wall replacement, and repurpose a vacant lot next door used for auto storage.

emailto:Contact the writer: jlockwood@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5185; @jlockwoodTT on Twitter.