Counties applaud state support for MOM line

Citing the critical need for transit investments to be made in Ocean and Monmouth counties, officials in both counties praised the recent action of NJ Transit in providing additional funding to study a proposed passenger rail line.

"The action by the NJ Transit Board of Directors to provide an additional $2.4 million for the ongoing study of the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex rail line is good news in keeping this project on the front burner," said Ocean County Freeholder James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to transportation. "This rail line will make a significant contribution to the quality of life of thousands and thousands of people. Continuing to support it and moving it forward is a priority for Ocean County."

Ocean County officials have been working with their counterparts in Monmouth County to garner support and move the passenger rail line forward.

"The Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex passenger rail project is a critical project for central New Jersey," said Monmouth County Freeholder Director William C. Barham, who is the county's liaison to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. "This project is needed to provide new commuting options for our residents, to retain and attract new jobs, to reduce congestion, to improve air quality and to provide rail service to the fastest growing area of the state."

Lacey added, "The congestion in our communities demands that the local, state and federal governments work together to provide commuters the most efficient and productive routes of travel. By reducing congestion and connecting communities to urbanized areas, we will continue to create jobs and improve the economy."

County officials gave their support to the added funding in addition to providing testimony at a public hearing on the second Hudson River tunnel.

In a joint statement made by the Ocean and Monmouth County Boards of Freeholders, the officials said the tunnel project is arguably the most significant regional infrastructure project of this generation.

"The tunnel project will significantly increase rail capacity between New York and New Jersey and, more importantly, enhance flexibility within the state of New Jersey," the freeholders said. "A true regional infrastructure initiative, both states will derive real and measurable benefits for many years to come."

The freeholders noted that the advancement of the tunnel project presents a unique opportunity to make the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) rail project a reality.

"The MOM rail line, examined closely within the context of the tunnel project, presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change people's lives," the freeholders said in their joint statement. "Bringing commuter rail service to Monmouth and Ocean counties will change a number of lives for the better."

According to a press release, NJ Transit currently is studying different alternatives to the proposed MOM rail line that would originate in Lakehurst, Ocean County. Ocean and Monmouth counties support the Lakehurst-to-Monmouth Junction (South Brunswick) MOM alternative.

The Monmouth Junction route, Ocean and Monmouth officials say, will provide greater congestion relief for overcrowded roads like Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway while providing public transportation alternatives to the fast growing areas of western Monmouth and southern Middlesex counties.

"The tunnel project will pave the way for construction of the Monmouth Junction line that will provide residents in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties with a one-seat ride to New York City," Barham said.

The additional funds from NJ Transit will be used to continue to fund a contract with Systra Contracting to consider the affect of building the tunnel and extending the one-seat service to New York on the proposed MOM rail line.

The current Draft Environmental Impact Study for the MOM rail line would now look at how the tunnel would affect ridership, station size and parking needs.

"We are thankful the additional funding is being made available," Lacey said. "But we also urge NJ Transit to advance this project. MOM would provide a critical link to statewide services including medical facilities, job opportunities and educational facilities. This project needs to advance and it needs to move forward now."