State Sen.
Peter A. Inverso
Senator offers opinion on MOM rail line
Commuter transit service is one of the most important issues affecting the constituents of my district and, for that matter, much of the state of New Jersey. That is why I have been an active participant in the dialogue surrounding the proposed Middlesex-Ocean-Mon-mouth (MOM) rail line almost since its inception.
I recognize the need for expanded service for residents of the three counties, especially for Monmouth County and Ocean County commuters.
That is why I am pleased NJ Transit has agreed to add one other potential route to the study, running between Lakehurst and Matawan. I had been pressing for inclusion of this alternative for several years.
During my testimony at a public hearing conducted by NJ Transit Dec. 30, 2001, on the environmental impact statement for the project, I urged the agency to give this alternative more than just passing attention. Because of NJ Transit’s history on the MOM line, it is important for public officials and residents in the potentially affected areas to do the same.
In 1994, NJ Transit initiated a two-year study on improving commuter transit service in the tri-county service.
After studying the plans for close to two years, NJ Transit decided in 1996 that the best alternative was a proposal to increase bus service along Route 9. But, less than four years later, the agency sharply backed away from that position and began refocusing on rail alternatives, one of which sliced through a heavily populated section of my district.
My concern with the action NJ Transit took in the year 2000 was not that it wanted to reopen consideration of rail service, but that its focus was far too narrow.
At that time, the agency was limiting its studies to just two possibilities, one of which would run from Lakehurst to the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, and the other from Lakehurst to Red Bank. And there were strong indications NJ Transit considered the Lakehurst-South Brunswick plan its "preferred alternative."
That route would bring commuter trains through two other Middlesex County communities, Monroe Township and James-burg. Local opposition was extremely vocal in each of the three towns, and I worked closely with municipal officials to ensure their concerns would be heard at the highest levels.
Looking objectively at the three alternatives now before NJ Transit, some basic differences stand out.
It is clear the Lakehurst-to-Matawan line has the highest degree of usable infrastructure in place, which means this alternative could be implemented at a lower cost than the others. It also is the route that would have the least impact on residential communities. However, it is not clear at this point which of the alternatives would provide the best overall solution.
With growth seemingly unstoppable, we as public officials must make judgments on projects of this nature with an eye toward promoting the best possible service with the least potential disruption. It is essential for NJ Transit to share the same perspective.
Republican N.J. Sen. Peter A. Inverso represents the 14th District, which includes the Middlesex County municipalities of Cranbury, Jamesburg, Monroe, Plainsboro and South Brunswick.