Yes, not only have several millions been spent on planning and environmental studies, the States of NJ and PA have spent several million dollars buying back the right of way, with I believe some help from the Fed.Is there any serious plans to restore the Lackawanna Cutoff?
At present right now I believe that the biggest stumbling blocks holding it back are NJ & PA working out an operating agreement, finding the rest of the money, and NJ's current big project of two new tunnels under the Hudson. That has priority over the Lac Cutoff.
But even though the steel wheels aren't yet turning, the wheels of progress to reach that point are turning. They're turning a bit too slowly IMHO, but progress is being made and money is being spent on things other than just "let's study this so that we can make it look like we're doing something."