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FREEHOLDERS WEIGH IN ON MOM RAIL LINE
By Bill McLaughlin
Proponents of mass transit in Monmouth and Ocean counties are pondering the fate of the longpromised commuter railroad many believe would help ease congestion on the Jersey Shore roadways.
Known as the MOM (Monmouth- Ocean-Middlesex) rail line, the original idea would have followed tracks already in the ground from Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction, where it would join the Northeast Corridor rail system, but that concept seems to have gone the way of the long-defunct Jersey Central Railroad.
The plan took a hit after Governor Jon Corzine spoke with leading elected representatives from both counties in Toms River. Corzine recently appeared at the Ritacco Center to speak publicly about the controversial plan to systematically raise tolls to help pay off the state's tremendous debt.
In an explanation offered later by state Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri, there is a linkage between this project and passage of the governor's toll hike proposal.
Kolluri said if the toll hike gains approval, the state would pledge $250 million in engineering and research funds as part of a 10-year $42 billion state transportation program.
When he spoke to the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, among others, Corzine told them what they wanted to hear.
"He said there would be a rail line," said Freeholder John Kelly, who is also a candidate for retiring Congressman James Saxton's seat.
What Corzine meant was a study to determine which of three possible junctions would be the optimum: Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction, Matawan or Red Bank.
Kelly said that local politicians feel duped because Corzine later gave assurances to politicians in Middlesex County who have opposed any rail line.
They object to the 42 trips the line would provide from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, saying the line would hurt property values and cause an influx of unwanted businesses and residents to their municipalities.
Recent state studies project a 25 percent population growth, and 32 percent employment growth in the three counties of Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex by 2025.
Corzine offered an olive branch in the form of a study to take the train in another direction, through Red Bank.
"Hardball politics," said Gerry Little at the freeholders' bi-weekly pre-board session.
Little expressed surprise that a handful of politicians could stop a plan that proponents say is wildly popular with residents of all three counties. Studies have indicated that area residents approve the mass transit by almost 3-1 majority.
Freeholder James Lacey said the time for research is behind us.
"This is a popular project in all three counties. Research has shown that," he said. "It's a pity this is being squashed by Middlesex County politicians when their own (constituents) are eager for it."
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