State senator will press opposition to rail line as proposed

Despite my opposition, a bill that authorizes a route for the proposed Mon-mouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) rail line to be considered for federal funding was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Whitman.

Though supporters of the proposed rail line believe they have won the battle over this controversial issue, their victory does not assure that the line, as currently proposed, will become a reality.

This bill provides no state money for the MOM project. It only permits the project to be considered for federal funding. The quest for federal funds will be a difficult one, providing opponents with an excellent opportunity to present the case against the current alignment.

For one, an environmental study must be conducted, which will include public hearings on the potential environmental impacts of the proposed rail line.

Secondly, to convince the federal government that the rail line is the most prudent means of providing mass transit for Mon-mouth and Ocean county residents, NJ Transit will have to present solid documentation, something the agency was not required to do when it came before the state Legislature.

I’ve led the opposition to the MOM rail line, as currently proposed, in the state Senate and I intend to do the same on the federal level.

I have sent letters to President Clinton, the U.S. Department of Transportation and to every member of the New Jersey congressional delegation, outlining the case against the current alignment. I will follow up on this effort by reaching out to the federal officials who will make the funding decisions for the MOM line.

Beyond my efforts on the federal level, I have introduced legislation (S-1674) that would compel NJ Transit to commission an independent study of any and all possible alignments to objectively determine a rail line that will minimize any negative impacts to affected communities.

I look forward to working closely with all parties that have a vested interest in developing a safe and community-friendly rail line to service the mass transit needs of Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean counties.

Sen. Peter A. Inverso

14th District

Hamilton