Above: Gottheimer in Andover at the potential site of a new Amtrak station.

ANDOVER, NJ — Today, August 7, 2023, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-8) and Amtrak officials to inspect the site of a potential new Amtrak station site in Sussex County. As part of the Lackawanna Cut-off restoration project, Gottheimer is advocating for Andover to be the location of a new NJ Transit park-and-ride station and Amtrak stop — to finally bring quality rail service to Sussex and Warren Counties, helping to decrease commute times, reduce congestion, boost tourism, and grow the local economy in Northwestern New Jersey. The proposed new Andover station will serve the Lackawanna Cut-off railway from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Hoboken and New York City. 

For years, Gottheimer has been fighting to restore rail service to Northwestern New Jersey.

Every day, 28,000 people commute between Northeast Pennsylvania, Northern New Jersey, and New York. Sussex County has the longest average commute time of all New Jersey counties at 38 minutes, and Vernon Township specifically has been ranked as having the worst commutes in New Jersey. Since 2011, New Jersey commute times have increased by 8.8%.

According to Amtrak’s Corridor Vision plan, expanding service beyond the Lackawanna Cut-off to Scranton, Pennsylvania, will generate about $84 million in annual economic activity, plus $2.9 billion from one-time economic impact from construction along the corridor. 

“After working across the aisle for years to return rail service to Northwestern New Jersey and calling for an end of delays with bureaucratic games, it’s great to see that inspections for potential Amtrak and NJ Transit stops and station sites are undergoing here in Sussex County,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Right now, there are very limited options for folks in Sussex County to make their life easier and get on a train to get to work, or to see a family member. I’ve heard from so many residents, businesses, and local elected officials about this issue, and of the urgent need for more transportation options to New York City from across Sussex. The Lackawanna Cut-off railway will improve convenience and travel times for hundreds of thousands of travelers across New Jersey — including across Sussex and Warren Counties.”

Following Gottheimer’s push and years of work to bring rail service back to Northwestern New Jersey, NJ Transit will invest $32.5 million to rehabilitate the 111-year-old Roseville Tunnel, the Hudson Farm culvert, the Junction Brook culvert, construct 8,000 feet of track bed, stabilize rock slopes, and more.

Below: Gottheimer in Andover at the potential site of a new Amtrak station.

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