The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad issued a statement Thursday, saying construction of a passenger platform in Tamaqua will begin this spring and cited the town’s key location as a plus.

“The platform will span the distance between the station and the tracks making the train more easily accessible for our passengers. This platform offers Tamaqua a great opportunity for passenger train excursions. Tamaqua has a very long-standing history with the railroad and is situated along the mainline of the Reading and Northern Railroad.”

The railroad thanked the borough for cooperation and credited Pa. Sen. David Argall, R-29, for arranging meetings among various parties.

Contacted Thursday, Argall deflected the credit to a spirit of cooperation.

“This is an excellent example of a successful partnership between Mr. Muller and the railroad, the borough council, and private donors who want to see Tamaqua continue to grow and improve. Congratulations to all!”

Following the announcement Tuesday of an agreement to bring passenger trains into the community after an absence of many years, some have suggested that parking will be an issue.

However, parking dynamics in downtown Tamaqua have shifted in recent years.

A few churches and businesses have closed. Some other businesses have moved to outlying locations. A large regional Catholic school has vacated downtown and gone to Hometown, closing doors of a school building, church and rectory.

These developments and others have not only changed parking habits, but altered traffic flow as well.

Transition

Tamaqua, today, is in a period of transition and many believe the arrival of train excursions will take place at just the right time in the town’s 221-year history.

In the 200 block of West Broad Street, one dozen buildings are unoccupied. Parking hasn’t been an issue in that area of downtown for a few years.

“I do feel like we have more parking options then Jim Thorpe,” said John Ross, owner of the Tamaqua Station Restaurant. He cited several options.

“St. Luke’s parking lot (is available) on the weekends for instance and also the borough lot. Behind the train station usually is available on the weekends, as well, despite the signage.”

The borough also owns lots directly across from the train station and at the corner of Hunter and Broad streets, to name a few.

“Also, if people arrive by train, we don’t need to worry about parking their cars,” Ross said.

Kevin Steigerwalt, borough manager, said parking availability is a factor that will be taken into consideration.

“More parking is always helpful, but I think it’s too soon to say for certain that we need more parking for train excursions. We don’t know yet how often the trains will run, but we should talk about parking as the project moves forward.”

Others have mentioned creative solutions if parking were to be an issue. Ideas tossed about include use of shuttle service from the extra-large parking lot at the former Jamesway Plaza, and the same for existing parking lots at the high school, middle school and elementary school. Some have suggested that train excursions would provide an opportunity for certain organizations to charge for use of their lots, such as a nearby fenced-in lot owned by a child development organization.

“I am very excited. I think this is going to take us to the next level in Tamaqua,” Ross said.