Knowlton officials to weigh in on Amtrak/PennDOT corridor study as many details remain undecided

Committee members and residents reported on a Feb. 23 virtual public meeting hosted by Amtrak and PennDOT on a proposed passenger-rail corridor. Committee members said the project is in Step 2 of a multi-year study (estimated completion approximately 2028) and that many substantive items remain unresolved: the exact locations of passenger stops (Blairstown and East Stroudsburg were mentioned as proposed, not confirmed), the number and frequency of daily trips, and whether freight service would use the corridor.

Committeewoman Starrs said the study remains open and that the Township’s previously adopted resolution expressing concerns has been submitted to PennDOT for the environmental analysis. Resident Tara Mezzanotte cautioned that references to freight likely concern an existing Pennsylvania freight line and that infrastructure constraints (for example overhead wiring) make freight on the proposed passenger corridor unlikely. The Committee discussed possible community benefits from early engagement — examples cited included municipal improvements negotiated in other corridor projects (ball fields, fencing) — and agreed to draft a formal resolution of comments and questions to submit with the study record. Members urged colleagues and residents to send suggested questions to Committeewoman Starrs for inclusion.

Public comment: Resident Mike Cierci urged the Committee to advocate for a passenger stop near the Travel Center area to support local businesses and connectivity. The Committee said it will circulate a draft resolution for review before filing.

Next steps: The Committee will assemble a formal set of comments and questions for submission in connection with the Step 2 study and will notify affected municipalities of planned in-person meetings. The study’s timeline and many technical decisions will be set by the broader environmental and engineering processes overseen by PennDOT and Amtrak.