Rail service is planned for re-establishment, linking Monroe County and the New Jersey/New York area. The existing proposal and several other rail possibilities for the County were studied, including technical, service, and economic considerations. Although reconstruction along the existing Erie-Lackawanna rail road right of way, shown in gray in the lower right map, is feasible for slower freight and tourism service, it is unsuitable for higher-speed commuter service which requires wide radius curves. Because of this, several alternatives were considered. The recommended alternative proposes a new rail alignment which would be capable of handling state of the art higher-speed trains.
The new alignment proposal, shown in yellow in the lower right map, would take advantage of the existing Interstate 80-380 right of way, between Interchange 8 near Mount Pocono and Interchange 47 near Stroudsburg. It uses the existing right of way north of Mt. Pocono, The rail line is located within the existing Interstate median strip. Further south, from Stroudsburg to the Delaware Water Gap, the alignment will need to leave the Interstate median and proceed along a new right of way until re-joining the existing track east of Stroudsburg.
The best estimate of the cost for upgrading the old rail alignment is $327 million, including regrading, track, bridges, and underpasses. Our estimate for the new I-80 alignment is $239 million, a difference of approximately $100 million. The new alignment has the added benefit of moving the potential development that would accompany rail stations farther to the west, away from the sensitive areas of Broadhead Creek and Paradise Valley.
The proposed new rail alinment would go between traffic
lanes of Interstate - 80.
Map showing new railroad right-of-way.