Lackawanna Cut-Off - Update #20: Impact of President Biden's Withdrawal from the 2024 Election 

Well said Chuck, especially the last minute or so... You were very objective about the politics and potential outcomes on the cutoff project and mass transit in general. Anyone who has been a fan of the channel for several years can see the increased progress on both the Andover MOS Project and the full restoration of the Cutoff/Pocono Main Line Project since the change of Administrations in 2021. Fingers crossed for good things in November🤞🏻.

Well said. Fair, unbiassed & true.

I'm pretty conservative but not Republican. I don't know why Republicans don't mind throwing billions into roads and highways but ignore rail.

Thanks Chuck for keeping us updated 🙏

Over many decades and a few generations, cultural indicators have become defined as Conservative/Republican and Liberal/Democrat. At the top of the list is where and how certain Americans choose to live. While never entirely true, it seems clearer than ever that "team red" are predominantly exurban and rural while "team blue" is predominantly urban and an increasing share of suburban firmly defined as being in the thick of a large cosmopolitan area. In other words "reds" drive their cars around their car-centric areas and between car-centric places while "blues" ALSO use transit and take trains between big blue cities. The Republican Party has responded to this cultural development and turned sensible transportation planning into yet another culture war in their suitcase of divisive tactics. It's upside down and absurd and the United States seems to be the only place on Earth where this dynamic is evenly remotely present. What a shame.

Well Chuck we will see what Happens. Very lnteresting 👍🏻😎

A new President could certainly slow grant funding going out under the Infrastructure Act, which would sadly jeopardize this and many great projects.

I would summarize what you said here, as nothing much has changed, if you believe the policies of Harris would be not much different than Biden's. So this serves mostly as a reminder of what was and is at stake in this one subject area. Of course there will be many consequences of the outcome of the election.

Thanks Chuck. Time will tell.🤔🤷‍♂️ it's like going into dark taritorie. Fingers crossed 🤞

"Amtrak Joe" to "Amtrak Josh"? We need more rail; get us back to first-world rail status.

When it comes to it, how much money do highways make? The question is whether each mode of transport is meeting a need. Even in the US many people cannot afford to drive, or are unable to for various reasons. There are also the difficulties that large numbers of cars driving into city centres cause. The total benefit to the public needs to be considered, not just the money in the till!!

Your input is very well stated sir. I truly hope that either candidate sees the benefit of this service moving forward. On another note, I live in Lehigh County PA and I've been following the Reading to Philadelphia proposal. Do you think the election will effect this as well. Thank you for your time sir.

Chuck amazing video as always !

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. As a Trump supporter myself, I really hope that he doesn’t interfere with the transportation and infrastructure projects that have been going forward (like this one). 🤞 Fingers crossed. I have been looking forward to passenger rail coming to Green Bay also. In my opinion, these should be bipartisan supported projects.

What will happen to the Lackawanna Cutoff restoration project in the future? How will that affect?

Having Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as a VP would be extremely helpful in solidifying the project.

A very good question, how the change of the presumptive nominee would affect the restoration of the Cutoff and transit in general. I follow politics on the national level, despite the risk to my sanity, to keep myself aware of what is going on. It's only been a day but it looks like VP Harris will be the democratic nominee. I am sure she will carry on Biden's policies with little change, so I am not afraid for the Cutoff. If Trump gets in, then it's a whole different story. Republicans have been trying to kill Amtrak for decades. Thankfully they have failed. But with the Project 2025 plan, it may be much harder to keep Amtrak around.

Has no clue, no need to even comment. Likely no changes if Trump wins.

When is the estimated time to completion?

Great video Chuck, it's important to lay out the stakes. Since you're much more familiar with the process is there any chance of seeing approval to begin construction during Biden's lame duck period or is that timeline too aggressive.

Thanks for the information lets hope this will go on. I moved to PA from NJ 5yrs ago they just passed the new budget and transportation was cut alot Septa lost alot of money Shapiro is not a fan of rail, but spending money for new "welcome" signs and plates for your car. Just hope they have gone this far it will happen.

What is the estimated cost to rebuild the line so Amtrak can make service and why don't our elected reps push to get funding from the infrastructure and jobs law while Biden is still the President? Also since it's less than 750 miles, wouldn't this be a stated supported train?

If that tunnel isn't cleared and stabilized, nothing further will happen. Not even to aAndover, much less further west.

under the previous trump administration NJT AND AMTRAK got a big budget cut but I guess you are getting to old to remember or you just don't want to remember?

I've been engaged in Pocono/NYC rail restoration since I served in the PAHouse, representing Monroe County, PA (2000-2004). The strongest, fastest, smartest path forward remains extending NJ Transit service a new intermodal Train Station at the Kulp's Foundry property. (annexed into the Borough of East Stroudsburg, PA to fulfill R/W requirements). Concurrently, with this development, Pennsylvania starts a PA Transit train service between East Stroudsburg, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton. Making the NYC rail restoration go to Scranton, instead of East Stroudsburg needlessly increases the price, and its viability as a "commuter train." The best bet for this sequence to start, is for President Biden to make a big, major funding announcement before he departs. If POTUS46 doesn't do this, my hunch is Pocono to NYC rail restoration is near dead, again. Most believe POTUS45 will never restore Pocono/NYC rail because it will severely impact train travel to Atlantic City. A passion of him and his family investments. POTUS47 won't be beholden to Pocono NYC rail restoration. 47 could divert rail dollars to CA, other national rail priorities, or Allentown to NYC rail restoration. Lots to watch in the months ahead.

The real impact is what is Trump going to do?

Friendly view from the UK where we are just coming off the back of 14 years of Conservative rule with all the lack of infrastructure investment that implies, there’s a lot to fix. Incredible to us that city-pairs such as NY to Scranton are not just rail served but have at least an hourly service. On this side of the pond we were envious of Joe Biden’s investment programme, fingers crossed the orange one isn’t elected.

Never should have relied on Scranton Joe!

The right wing would love to tear up all commuter train tracks if they could. They want more highways, less track.

Im for trains but there is lot more on stake in nov than only that. Cant have another 4 years of democrat especially Kamala harris.