Conversation continues on Fast Rail Line proposal

So will there be a fast rail line coming through New Jersey at some point?

Berkeley Township Council President John Bacchione approached the Ocean County Board of Freeholders at a meeting Wednesday night proposing the project.

"Since the councilman (John Bacchione) brought it up, I will talk to each of the freeholders to get their opinion," said Freeholder Virginia (Ginny) Haines. "To see whether or not we would like to bring it up for a discussion to see about possibly doing a study."

Haines adds the transportation advisory board is one of her departments, and while she would like to see something happen, there's some discussion that would need to happen first.

"I doubt very much in the near future that this would be done," said Haines. "I think it would be a great thing for Ocean County, always have."

Funding is one of the questions that needs to be answered before the project can really get anywhere, because without the money for the rail, plans would be hampered, at least temporarily.

"It's not just Ocean County," said Haines. "You have to go through Monmouth and Middlesex, so you need to work with them."

Haines like Bacchione believes the idea of this proposed line coming to fruition would be beneficial to certainly this part of New Jersey.

"I think for Ocean it would be wonderful, we are a growing County," said Haines. "Were going to continue to grow, especially in the Southern part. It would be an easy way for people to get to work."

She believes if the rail line does happen, and it could extend not only north but run into the southern parts of Ocean County "would be great."

Yes, this project is still in the infancy or early stages and that can't be overthought as even John Bacchione pointed out there is much planing and discussion that needs to be done.

However there are many potential obstacles still in the line of vision.

"I don't think it's something that should be put on the shelf and not talked about," said Haines. "The main thing is working with the other counties and figuring out where the funding is going to be."

The overlying issue still remains to be on funding, but whether or not that's the biggest obstacle at this point in time, is still to be determined.

The Freeholders spoke of what needs to happen with the other counties, mainly Monmouth and Middlesex but Haines adds they still need time to review the plan further as a group.

"We didn't really have a sit down and discuss it and all of us make a decision to say 'yes' this is something we want to do," said Haines. "I don't think anyone was against it but I think the reality of it is right now or in the very near future that we can start or have the money to start it."

Haines adds the location of the rail line is also a factor in addition to figuring out what parts of land they have, and what is still left from those lands where rail tracks used to be.

This rail line might happen but it won't happen anytime soon and Haines isn't opposed to continuing the conversation.

The idea of a fast rail line running throughout the entire Garden State may seem wonderful on paper, but before the dream becomes a reality there are more steps needed to be climbed.

"I really want to talk with each of the freeholders to see what their feelings are individually," adds Haines. "Then (decide) whether or not we would have a discussion."

Should this be something they all see as a feasible proposed project, Haines believes then they will be able to discuss it further, but there's many other improvements the County is working on at the moment such as the roads.

Again, this is just a proposed plan in the early stages and there's a lot of discussion and planning that needs to happen before any answer whether it be 'yes' or 'no' can officially be announced.

However it can still be talked about, so stay tuned.