BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Passenger rail won't be coming to the Lehigh Valley anytime soon.
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission officials, in the first meeting since the state Transportation Department-commissionedfeasibility study by partner consultant WSP released Wednesday, on Thursday discussed its main findings and the general timetable.
Becky Bradley, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, said Lehigh Valley Transportation Study members still have to "digest" the analysis.
"There's a lot of work that would have to go into this. If the LVTS does decide to go forward with a route, we have to get revenue guarantees from the Pennsylvania legislature plus come up with operating costs."Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Becky Bradley
LVTS is the region's transportation planning agency and closely works with Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.
Detailed discussions about pros and cons, as well as potential hurdles, are expected to take place at LVTS meetings over the next few months.
"There's a lot of work that would have to go into this," Bradley said. "If the LVTS does decide to go forward with a route, we have to get revenue guarantees from the Pennsylvania legislature plus come up with operating costs, and again ... LVTS cannot use existing formula funds for those activities.
"We're at the beginning of a very long journey."
Just a 'high-level view
Possible routes illustrated by the study include two to New York City through NJ Transit connections, two to Philadelphia through SEPTA connections, and one to Reading.
Officials said it offers just a "high-level view."
If the LVTS and PennDOT decide to forge ahead, multiple studies, environmental clearances, acquisitions and more still would have to be done with millions of dollars in local funding.
The process is estimated to take 10-12 years, with each possible presented route requiring acquisitions and improvements totaling more than $500 million.
"The one great thing that's this WSP assessment gave us is, is that actual path of what has to happen."Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Becky Bradley
"The one great thing that's this WSP assessment gave us is, is that actual path of what has to happen," Bradley said.
The study emphasized that some significant problems could be present, beyond just cost.
The potential routes rely on Norfolk Southern-owned freight rail, and similar conflicts have led to concerns about supply chain disruption and resistance from freight operators.
During Wednesday's presentation about the study, residents raised concerns that the speed of the proposed trains would not be competitive to bus and car, arguing for a more high-speed rail.
Comments and questions will be available until April 12 on the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission website.
See the full study here:
