Rep. Pitts, Sen. Toomey Send Letter to Amtrak About Traffic Congestion at Lancaster Station

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Representative Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) sent a letter to John McHugh, Amtrak’s vice president of government affairs, concerning major traffic congestion in Lancaster caused by Amtrak’s recent renovations.

During renovations to its Lancaster station, Amtrak miscalculated the space needed to accommodate the new 60-foot long buses contracted by Amtrak, causing significant traffic issues in front of the station. In their letter, Sen. Toomey and Rep. Pitts urge Amtrak to consider a solution proposed by the Lancaster County Transportation Authority to alleviate the congestion.

A copy of the letter is below:

December 10, 2012

Mr. John McHugh
Vice President - Government Affairs and Corporate Communications
Amtrak
60 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20002            

Mr. McHugh:

We are writing to you concerning the most recent issue at the Lancaster, Pa. Amtrak station. 

As you might be aware, there is yet another problem with the $14.2 million renovation. This problem involves an incorrect calculation of the space needed to accommodate 60-foot long buses contracted for by Amtrak versus 45-foot long buses that were allowed for in the original plans. The extra length that was not properly planned for has created significant traffic issues in front of the station.

The Lancaster County Transportation Authority (LCTA) became aware of this issue in 2011, and a draft solution was forwarded to Amtrak in late 2011. While not experts in this area, we have been told that the proposed solution is workable and feasible, and precludes the drastic solution of making passengers enter the station only off McGovern Avenue, and closing the entrance at the intersection of North Queen Street and McGovern Avenue. This step would necessitate making the station access road a one way. Further, please note that a motorist cannot turn right onto McGovern Avenue at North Queen Street, causing further problems if Amtrak makes the access road one way.   

We feel very strongly that our constituents and your fare paying passengers should not be inconvenienced and penalized for Amtrak’s mistake.

Based on all the issues during the renovation preceding this latest one, we expect that Amtrak will cooperate in good faith in finding a solution that does not further inconvenience your passengers. We are sure that in this particular situation, Amtrak will do the right thing.

Cordially,

Pat Toomey
U.S. Senate

Joe Pitts
U.S. House of Representatives