Suburban Rail Project Deserves Attention from Governor
Senator Steven V. Oroho (R-Sussex/Morris) called on Governor Corzine to step up its efforts to expand rail service in northwestern New Jersey following the administration’s announcement of a $150 to $200 million project to extend passenger rail service along an existing 8.3 mile freight line between Hackensack and Hawthorne.
“While the announcement of a new rail expansion from Hackensack to Hawthorne is a welcome development, the Governor’s lack of attention to the pressing need to complete the restoration of the Lackawanna Cut-Off makes me wonder why the Corzine Administration will not make helping suburban commuters a higher priority, ” said Oroho. “The administration needs to demonstrate that they have a transportation vision that includes our rural and suburban communities.”
Restoration of the historic 133-mile rail line, which ended passenger service in 1970, would provide service from Scranton, Pennsylvania to Hoboken and New York Penn Station via transfer to Mid-Town Direct service by connecting to the existing New Jersey Transit Montclair-Boonton and Morris & Essex Lines. Reports indicate the restored line could serve 684, 000 commuters annually.
“Restoration of the Lackawanna Cut-Off will relieve traffic congestion, reduce air pollution and help combat global warming, which are all goals that the Governor says he supports, ” said Oroho. “The Corzine Administration has spent significant sums of money on urban mass transit in Essex and Hudson counties. Now they are pursuing a $200 million rail project that would benefit people in the Paterson area, while scant progress is made on a $550 million project that would benefit all of northwestern New Jersey. The people of Sussex and Morris counties deserve a much greater commitment from this Governor.”
Link to Post:
http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/oroho/oroho-renew-commitment-on-lackawanna-cut-off/3118
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January 11, 2010
