Bridges and Rail: Transportation Secretary’s Visit to Nanticoke Sparks Infrastructure Talks
During a recent visit to Nanticoke, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy engaged in discussions primarily focused on the reopening of two closed bridges in Luzerne County. Accompanied by U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, R-Luzerne, Duffy’s visit also included a brief tour of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, though the conversation remained heavily centered on the bridges.
Representative Bresnahan, while elaborating on the infrastructure issues, introduced another significant topic of interest: the potential for passenger rail service between Scranton and New York City.
“And soon we hope passenger rail is back on track,” Bresnahan remarked during a press conference with Duffy.
Currently, the idea of restoring the passenger train service is in the pipeline, with the state Department of Transportation conducting ongoing studies to assess its feasibility.
Adding an element of serendipity to the conversation, a freight train passed by, its horn echoing through the area as Duffy spoke. “Planes, trains, and automobiles here,” joked Bresnahan. “We don’t stop. Bridges and trains. Here we go.”
When questioned about his stance on the Scranton-to-New York City rail project, Secretary Duffy refrained from making a firm commitment but did not rule out the possibility either.
“So if you ask me to commit to you right now that I’m going to do it, that’s a good question. I do need to see it. But again, I appreciate how wonderful this community is, and I understand through the congressman your need. And I look forward to working with you guys and getting the data, the information and making the right decision,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy during his visit.
Duffy expressed enthusiasm for rail projects, stating, “Well, I would love to see a lot of rail projects happen. I’d love to see a high-speed rail in America that we don’t have. It’s a great way to move, but it goes back to my other point. I have to make investments in the best projects possible that are going to move people. And I’d love it if this project rated there, but I’ve got to look at all the data.”
While Duffy’s response could be seen as non-committal, it leaves room for future possibilities. The ongoing PennDOT study, which aims to provide federal officials with compelling reasons to reinstate passenger rail service from Scranton through the Poconos to New York City, is not expected to conclude until at least 2028.
