Some Developments in MOM Line

[N-Trizzy2609]

MATAWAN — Citing concerns about additional rail development in the borough, the Matawan Borough Council passed a resolution supporting the Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction spur for the proposed Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) rail line on Oct. 5.

 

The resolution requests that NJ Transit give weighted consideration for the development of rail service in western Monmouth County as opposed to reactivating a freight line to allow access from Lakehurst to the Matawan-Aberdeen station on the North Jersey Coast Line. The borough opposed the alternative rail route in 2009.

 

“There are three separate ways that this can go,” said Councilman Tom Fitzsimmons. “The most obvious place for it to go is through the western part of the county because that’s where the growth has been. The two other alternatives actually are for Red Bank and Matawan, which all we are doing is just adopting a resolution suggesting that the westernmost example is supported.”

 

This year, the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded NJ Transit $534,375 for the development of an Alternatives Analysis/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (AA/DEIS) for the MOM passenger rail project, Mayor Paul Buccellato said.

 

The money will fund research and development for transportation improvements and the rebuilding of railroad infrastructure along existing freight lines in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties.

 

The MOM study proposes several service alternatives for three North Jersey Coast Line (NJCL) train lines in Red Bank, Matawan and Monmouth Junction, which would connect areas of western Monmouth, northern Ocean and portions of Middlesex to direct routes to points north, such as Newark and New York City.

 

According to NJ Transit, the Matawan commuter rail alternatives would use a 32- mile route that runs on the existing NJ Transit and Conrail-owned southern secondary and Freehold secondary freight lines, via new connections at Farmingdale and Freehold Borough, as well as on the NJ Transitowned right of way of the former Freehold Branch to Matawan.

 

If the plan is approved, new track would be constructed on the former railroad right of way, which would relocate the route of the county Henry Hudson Trail.

 

The route would pass through the communities of Lakehurst, Manchester, Dover, Jackson, Lakewood, Howell, Farmingdale, Freehold Township, Freehold Borough, Marlboro and Matawan-Aberdeen.

http://independent.gmnews.com/news/2010-10-21/Front_Page/Matawan_pushes_MOM_line_for_western_Monmouth.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

FREEHOLD - A transit line that could connect Freehold Borough & Township to New York City, Philadelphia, and Trenton is on the move again.

 

The federal Department of Transportation awarded New Jersey Transit $534,375 to investigate the potential Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex line, according to the NT.

 

Plans for the "MOM" line have been developed and tabled in the past, stalled by debate over which towns would be included in the service, and whether old freight railroad lines would be restored for the passenger service.

 

Part of those former freight lines makes up the current Henry Hudson trail and recreation area, which NJ Transit loaned to the Monmouth County Parks System.

http://freehold.injersey.com/2010/08/31/nj-transit-gets-federal-dollars-to-explore-mom-line/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

As I make note, I live along the proposed line and I've had three people knock on my door already with petitions to keep it from happening. When I look at the petition is was blank almost. I ask the main why many people didn't sign it? He told me flat out, 'Cuz everybody wants it.'

[metsfan]

"here sign this to prevent progress please?"

 

*slams door*

 

:cool:

 

- A