MOM train line still a possibility
Monmouth Junction rail line to be studied despite Corzine's comments
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer
New Jersey Transit has confirmed that it will complete the draft environmental impact study (DEIS) for the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) rail line, even though Gov. Jon Corzine asserted last week that the line would not run through Middlesex.

"All three alignments will continue to be evaluated," said Joe Dee, a spokesman for NJ Transit. "To change the scope of it now would require the process to start all over again."

South Brunswick Councilman Joseph Camarota is not too worried about the comments, even though the line is proposed to go through the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick.

"The DEIS is required," Camarota said. "They need to do that for federal funding. I still like the direction they're going to. They're doing their due process, but it will not go through Middlesex."

On Sunday, Feb. 10, Corzine told a crowd at East Brunswick High School during one of his town meetings that the proposed rail line would be the MO line and not the MOM line, which made many South Brunswick Township officials elated. Camarota still believes the governor's statements to be the truth.

"He said it very clearly and succinctly," he said. "I truly believe he means it. He was quoted; he said it everywhere."

Dee said that NJ Transit will select a route at the conclusion of the transparent DEIS evaluation process and a public hearing. The alignment would then be sent to the federal government to review and evaluate.

The route that would go through Middlesex County would run from Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction. This is only one of the three proposed routes. The other two would run through Matawan and Red Bank, both in Monmouth County.

There has been much opposition from Middlesex County officials over the Monmouth Junction route of the MOM line. They are concerned about having to displace homes that are located near the proposed line. South Brunswick Mayor Frank Gambatese has also expressed dismay at the line going west to go north, saying it makes no sense to do this.

Officials have also opposed a poll commissioned by Monmouth and Ocean counties and conducted by McLaughlin & Associates that seemed to suggest residents in Middlesex County want the rail line. Five hundred residents within the three counties that would be affected by the line were surveyed. Of the 200 Middlesex County residents who were questioned, 78 percent said they favored it. However, South Brunswick officials highly doubt the accuracy of the poll.

A December survey released by NJ Transit stated that the Monmouth Junction alternative would generate the highest daily ridership out of the three options at 27,450. The Matawan route would generate 24,050 riders, while the Red Bank choice would get 16,800 riders. However, other factors such as the cost to build, parking and traffic circulation, and which alternative attracts the most new customers will be taken into account when deciding which route will be chosen.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation declined to comment on this issue, deflecting questions to NJ Transit.