With environmental concerns out of the way, the Scranton-to-Hoboken passenger railroad project can focus on its next hurdle--money, reports the Republican Herald.

If the estimated $550 million project is to really get going, Pennsylvania and New Jersey officials will have to refine cost estimates, figure out what the states' and federal shares should be and commit to paying their shares.

Finding the money is key to convincing the Federal Transit Administration to rate the project. The FTA issues ratings of low, medium-low, medium, medium-high and high to designate whether a project deserves federal funding and the level it deserves. The criteria include whether a project makes travel easier or serves low-income households, reduces pollution, is cost-effective, boosts economic development and supports existing uses of land. The federal government typically contributes up to 50 percent to train projects, depending on their worthiness.

Original Souce: Republican Herald
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