Dear John,

 PASSENGER RAIL UPDATE:

CONSTRUCTION IS STARTING

After decades of anticipation, the restoration of  passenger rail service from NEPA to New York City is finally becoming a reality as construction is officially starting!

This week, Senator Bob Casey and I announced that we’ve secured nearly $9 million in federal funding to begin construction, rehabilitation and track improvements on the Lackawanna Cut-Off between Scranton and the Delaware Water Gap.

The funding comes from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Senator Casey and I fought to pass.

All told, we’ve now got more than $20 million in federal and state funding in our coffers for the restoration of passenger rail.

This includes $3 million in RACP funding from Gov. Shapiro and PennDOT; another $3.65 million from the former Wolf administration at my request; $2 million from Sen. Casey and another $1.6 million that I brought home through our Community Project Funding efforts. We received another $500,000 from Amtrak and $500,000 from the Federal Rail Administration.

And there’s more federal and state funding on the horizon.

The teamwork demonstrated between the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, PennDOT, Amtrak, our local, county and state officials - especially Governor Josh Shapiro – has brought us to this moment.

I’d like to thank every one involved in keeping our passenger rail project on track. With this major announcement, we’re gaining even more steam to get the job done.

To learn more about how I am working for the people of northeastern Pennsylvania, read on:

This week, I received an update from PennDOT District 5 Executive Director Chris Kufro informing me that Route 611 is on track to be complete on Monday and officially open to traffic starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday!

Thanks to the dedicated contractors and fantastic weather, the paving of Route 611 from Waring Drive to Arrow Island Overlook has been completed, with pavement markings and signs nearly finished.

A temporary, free-standing rockfall barrier has also been installed and a temporary traffic signal has been powered.

These updates will allow two-way traffic to flow from Cherry Valley Road/Oak Street in Delaware Water Gap south to Slateford Road while officials continue working behind-the-scenes on a more permanent solution.

The long-awaited reopening of Route 611 is a perfect example of local, state and federal agencies and elected officials working together for the good of the community.

This was a group effort, and I want to thank Senator Rosemary Brown and Representative Tarah Probst along with officials from PennDOT, the National Park Service, the Federal Highway Administration, and the many elected and community officials who showed up for every meeting to advocate on behalf of their constituents.

Thanks to this multi-level teamwork, the soon re-opened Route 611 will bring much-needed relief to local businesses, residents and communities affected by the extended road closure.  

I look forward to joining together with members of our community to celebrate the re-opening of Route 611, and I hope to see you there!

It was great getting to speak with so many wonderful members of our communities at recent events throughout northeastern Pennsylvania.

Electricity was in air under the Friday night lights at this year's Pittston Area and Wyoming Area high school football rivalry game, which has been a time-honored tradition in NEPA since 1967.

We also celebrated our region's role in helping shape our nation at the dedication of a replica Liberty Bell at the Hawley Silk Mill, in honor of our industrial past and the powerful narratives of our ancestors who fought to forge a better future for us through the labor movement.

Special congratulations are in order, along with warm wishes for a happy retirement, for Lynn Evans Biga, Executive Director of Luzerne County Head Start, who is retiring after 46 years of championing early childhood education and family development in Luzerne and surrounding counties.

I also want to thank Monroe County NAACP President and Pike County Commissioner Christa Caceres for inviting me to speak at the MC NAACP's Annual Freedom Fund Gala, and for her unwavering dedication to our communities over the years.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with a federal agency, veterans assistance or support, would like to invite me to an event or request a meeting, or simply want to say hello, I want you to know that you can always give me a call, text or send me an email by visiting my website.

Serving as your Congressman is one of the greatest honors of my life; it is a duty that I treat with the upmost respect, and I thank you for putting your trust in me to represent the people of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Be safe and well,