Congressmen secure funds for rail line study

The U.S. House of Representatives passed funding for the Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex (MOM) passenger rail line onDec. 19, said Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Congressman Jim Saxton (R-NJ), who had worked throughout the year to have the money included in the 2008 federal budget.

According to a press release from Smith and Saxton, theMOMAlternativesAnalysis will receive nearly $1million in theU.S.Department of Transportation budget, which passed the House by a vote of 272-142. Last spring, Smith and Saxton asked the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee to add the funds to the budget. The subcommittee approved the funds in July.

TheMOMpassenger rail line is expected to relieve traffic congestion in the region, the fastest growing area in central New Jersey. The MOM line would extend passenger rail service from New York City, Newark and other urban areas of northern New Jersey into central New Jersey, according to state and local planners.

"We are themost densely populated state in the nation and anyonewho drives sees the congestion firsthand every day," Saxton said. "Passenger rail lines can improve commuting and transportation systems. This study examines a proposal that would create rail service between northern and southernNew Jersey."

"TheMOMline is critical to relieving congestion and its related health problems in the three-county region of central New Jersey. I am committed to seeing this project through fromstart to finish, and this funding represents an important step forward.Winning the federal funding for the required state-conducted study continues our partnership on this project and brings us closer to making theMOMline a reality," Smith said.

According to the press release, Smith and Saxton helped authorize the project in 2004 legislationwhich authorizedMOMand other federal transportation projects across the country. The bill allowed them to seek appropriations over six years.

The final potential stop of the MOMline (heading north to south) would be Lakehurst, OceanCounty,which is home to aU.S. Navy base, the Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station, the largest employer in Ocean County. Lakehurst Navy base is situated adjacent to anArmy base, FortDix, and anAir Force facility,McGuireAir ForceBase, according to the press release.