BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Fourteen years ago, Pennsylvania released an intercity passenger and freight rail plan with a long-term vision.
“By 2035, Pennsylvania’s rail system will provide safe, convenient, reliable, cost-effective connections for people and goods," the plan said.
"As a viable alternative to other modes, it will support economic competitiveness, smart growth, and environmental sustainability, thereby strengthening Pennsylvania’s communities."
But far-reaching transportation investments to bring passenger rail back to the Lehigh Valley haven’t materialized, and an extensive network of rails through the region has remained dedicated solely to freight.
That could begin to change Wednesday, when a long-awaited Lehigh Valley Passenger Rail Analysis is set to be released.
Here’s what to know:
What is it?
The analysis, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, will be presented by PennDOT and its consultant WSP, who has collected data and prepared the analysis for more than a year.
It will be unveiled through a special informational meeting of The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study Technical and Coordinating Committees at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Why does it matter?
Officials have been mum so far on proposed Amtrak service between Allentown and New York City, a possibility first announced in 2021. The $300,000 PennDOT study examining the feasibility of passenger rail in the region was due in October.
In December, federal officials awarded grants and funding to bolster Amtrak service and potentially expand it elsewhere in the state, including service running from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg.
In addition, the federal government awarded $500,000 to study adding new service along Amtrak's Keystone and Pennsylvanian lines, which currently runs from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. The study would examine adding service to Altoona, Johnstown, and Lancaster along those routes.
The Lehigh Valley has been left out of the conversation otherwise, despite Amtrak officials expressing optimism that passenger rail service could easily be restored to the area.
They argued rail lines connecting the region to New York still exist, which could eliminate much of the cost and delay of acquiring the land, rights and material needed to build new rail corridors.
What will the analysis address?
It’s expected to lay out potential routes to New York, Philadelphia and Reading, along with estimated capital and operating costs, service carrier alternatives, potential freight rail and environmental challenges and more.
What will happen next?
Because Wednesday will be the LVTS Technical and Coordinating Committee’s first viewing of the analysis, no votes or decisions will be made at the meeting, though a comment process will be outlined.
Once released, the full report will be available at lvpc.org.
It is anticipated that a second special meeting will be held at least 30 days after Wednesday’s presentation to discuss the report.
