WASHINGTON — Four Pennsylvania congressmen are asking Gov. Ed Rendell to form an agency to oversee a proposed train line between Scranton and New York City.

Reps. Paul Kanjorski and Chris Carney, and Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, wrote a letter requesting the governor form a Tri-State Authority with New Jersey and New York.

The letter, released Wednesday, says there is "a dire need" for the service to help alleviate congestion on Interstate 80 between northeastern Pennsylvania and New York City.

It says the 100-mile system across New Jersey would also make the Poconos and Pennsylvania casinos more accessible.

The congressmen say little progress has been made on the proposal in the last 20 years, but they hope the Tri-State authority changes that.

Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo says the governor supports the project and will review the lawmakers' request.