SCRANTON, Pa. — For decades, talks about the return of passenger rail service to Northeast Pennsylvania have largely been just that—talk.
That was until recently when millions of dollars in funding for planning and construction was secured.
But following November's general election, many lawmakers who support bringing AMTRAK to our area will not be returning to office.
"Studies we've done a lot of the engineering and the other things, but right now we're into construction, and construction is what it's all about," said Larry Malski, President of Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority.
He has been involved with the project for four decades and says a change in the political landscape will not derail its progress.
"It involves both sides on a bipartisan basis because that's what we're here for," said Malski. "To try to bring jobs and economic development to Northeast PA."
State Representative Kyle Mullins (D) 112th District has worked on the return of passenger rail service since taking office.
As a Majority member of the House Transportation Committee, he says the millions of dollars in federal and state investments will not be wasted.
"There is the investment in place, and it would be in the taxpayers' interest in our, in the interests of our residents and our business community who has been advocating for this project, to continue building toward restoration of passenger rail," said Mullins.
Democrat Congressman Matt Cartwright helped to secure some of the funding, but he lost his re-election bid to Republican Rob Bresnahan.
The congressman-elect says that while he hasn't discussed the status of passenger rail service yet, he is eager to learn more.
In a statement given to Newswatch 16, Bresnahan says, "Ultimately, my priority is to make certain that this project doesn't become a long-term burden on taxpayers and that we have strong safety protections in place—whether through a port authority or similar measures—to keep riders safe along with those in our community," said Malski.
Malski hopes to work across party lines to keep the project chugging along.
"We're looking forward to working with him on this, uh, to provide those new jobs and the thousands of contracting jobs that are going to come about rebuilding this railroad," said Malski.
According to Malski, bids for railway construction projects are set to go out in the spring of 2025.