Joseph Azzolina
Guest Column
The possibility exists that the draft environmental impact statement for the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) rail line currently in progress might result in “no preferred alternative.” This would be a travesty to every resident affected by the traffic and congestion in the central region of New Jersey. The mere possibility of such a result is unconscionable.
This is not the first time the reintroduction of passenger rail service in central Jersey is being considered during my tenure as an elected official in Monmouth County. In the 1990s, the same three routes were investigated, and that resulted in the recommendation of enhanced bus service along Route 9. At the time, I didn’t think that would be an adequate transportation alternative to accommodate the enormous growth the central part of the state was experiencing.
I have been proven right by anyone who travels in any direction. The commute for many of our drivers has grown longer instead of shorter. To hear that a $4.5 million study would conclude without making a recommendation is unthinkable to me, and I hope it is to the officials of NJ Transit who ordered the study.
Although we all enjoy a high quality of life as residents, the tremendous growth in Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties has created heavy traffic and congestion. I have crisscrossed Monmouth County hundreds of times — always lamenting that rail service no longer ran along the tracks I traversed.
Three alignments are being studied: Freehold to Matawan, and Lakehurst to Red Bank — both to join the North Jersey Coast Line — and Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction, to join the northeast corridor. The alternative that would serve the greatest public good is the Lakehurst-Monmouth Junction alignment. It goes through the areas of greatest growth and would offer residents of Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties access by rail to destinations along the northeast corridor — our fine hospitals, Rutgers University and the Newark Performing Arts Center, among other places. It could connect with Amtrak service for the entire east coast.
It is high time such rail service be made available through the heavily populated area of Ocean, western Monmouth and Middlesex counties, where the population grew by 17.8 percent, 11.2 per cent and 11.7 percent, respectively, in the 1990s. I have heard projections that by the year 2010, 25 percent of the population of the entire state will reside in Monmouth and Ocean. This population needs more rail transportation — and it needs to be able to access parts of the state that now can be reached only on congested and failing roadways.
None of the rail alternatives were selected in the 1996 draft environmental impact statement because of pressure from some local public officials. The desires of these few impacted thousands of people whose transportation needs could have been much better served by rail service through Monmouth Junction. I hope this current impact statement will not result in the same shortsighted conclusion. By the time funding might be again available — perhaps in six years — congestion and traffic will only continue to grow.
To those who would argue against the Lakehurst-Monmouth Junction alignment because reintroduction of rail service in Middlesex County would congest these towns — Jamesburg, Monroe and South Brunswick — I would reply: Look around; the population is already there. And to those who fear a loss of property value, I would say: Look to Montclair and see what has happened to real estate values after the completion of the Montclair connection. Your real estate will jump in value, not decline.
Lastly, the choice of the Lakehurst-Monmouth Junction route would significantly reduce pollution to the air from passenger vehicles that would be eliminated. If their riders could count on train service — which is fast, efficient and pleasurable — improved air quality would be a great health benefit to the region.
I highly recommend that the MOM line be funded and be considered a priority for NJ Transit. It is good public policy for central New Jersey and all the residents of the state, whose quality of life is dependent on excellent transportation to jobs, education and recreation.
Assemblyman Joseph Azzolina (R-13th District) is a resident of Middletown