(erielack) NJ Town Proposes Light Rail Operation On Ex-EL Lines

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-From the njo.com / Star-Ledger web site at long wrapped URL:

http://www.njo.com/njcommunities/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/njcommunities/ledger/es
sex/135fdc2.html
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Belleville wants to hop on light rail train  

05/27/01  

BY JEFFERY C. MAYS STAR-LEDGER STAFF  

The transit line is part of a larger proposal to redevelop the Valley section.  

Belleville wasn't one of five towns included two years ago when former Gov. 
Christie Whitman launched her Transit Village program, designed to use 
passenger rail stations as a catalyst for economic growth.  

But town officials are shopping their own light rail plan that would connect 
infrequently used sections of track to the Newark City Subway. The transit 
proposal is part of a larger redevelopment that seeks to bring retail, light 
industrial, office and residential properties to in a square-mile industrial 
section known as the Valley.  

Official also hope to make Belleville a more attractive locale for commuters 
and businesses. In other words, a transit village where workers can drop off 
their cars at the train station and be on their way to Newark Penn Station in a 
matter of minutes or use mass transit to commute to new businesses in the area. 
 
Belleville hopes to follow the success of South Orange and Morristown, where 
transit village projects bring the promise of millions of dollars in housing, 
infrastructure and retail development.  

"This proposal could change the complexion and identity of that section of town 
dramatically," said Councilman Thomas Fuscaldo. "If we can get this plan done 
in the next five or 10 years it will increase property values and ratables. 
Suddenly, redevelopment in the Valley becomes much larger than a $10 million 
project."  

Interim Town Manager Thomas Banker he helped develop the rail plan with 
engineering firm Schoor DePalma. It would connect a section of track in 
Belleville known as the Paterson Branch, which is currently used about once a 
day for freight transfers, to a section of the Boonton line that will be 
abandoned when the Montclair Connection is up and running.  

That line will connect to a small piece of the Watchung line, which will link 
with the Newark City Subway at the existing Franklin Avenue stop. The project 
would involve about three miles of track, Banker said.  

Under the proposal, four new rail stations would open in Belleville:  

A transit hub, featuring rail, buses and parking, would be created north of 
Greylock Parkway. The street would open to through traffic to Main Street 
instead of being cut off at the railroad tracks off Washington Avenue.  

One at Joralemon Street would be created to serve the new senior citizens 
building.  

One near Belleville Avenue or Holmes Streets would service the town hall area.  

A Mill Street stop would serve the southern end of the redeveloped Valley.  

The advantage of the plan, Banker said, is that NJ Transit is already expanding 
the 4.3 mile Newark subway into Belleville and Bloomfield and adding new light 
rail cars and a storage and maintenance facility.  

And NJ Transit seems to like light rail projects. In February, they dedicated 
$370 million of a $1.13 billion 2002 capital budget to light rail construction 
and expansion around the state.  

"The opportunity is clearly a great one for NJ Transit," Banker said. "This 
additional line will allow for better use of the current facilities."  

Belleville officials say they have gotten a positive early response from NJ 
Transit.  

NJ Transit spokesman Michael Klufas said the agency is always willing to look 
at proposals from local communities and confirmed Belleville is meeting with 
members of its planning division. But Belleville's proposition is currently not 
on NJ Transit's long-term planning agenda, he said.  

"If it did happen, it would be later than sooner," Klufas said.  

Belleville officials say they realize the plan is a long way from fruition, 
which leaves NJ Transit time to warm up to the idea.  

"They told us our plan was one of the best they'd seen in 10 years because of 
its feasibility," said Councilman Michael Melham.  

The town is seeking funds to develop a feasibility study and has set aside 
money in this year's capital budget to help with a study.  

Permission would have to be obtained from the Federal Railroad Administration 
to use the tracks for shipping freight and light rail use, Banker said. Norfolk 
Southern, which owns the rights-of-way, must also give its approval. Rudy 
Husband, a spokesperson for the railroad, said any decision would depend on 
approval from the railroad administration and how plans would affect current 
and future customers.  

Still, the idea of the project has council members buzzing. The plan could 
increase tax revenue and property values in town, causes of Belleville's recent 
economic troubles. The town has a predicted budget gap of $5.4 million, which 
might lead to layoffs, service cuts and increased fees.  

"It's a pretty involved process, but the feasibility is not that far off," said 
Mayor Bill Escott. "It would certainly be a boost to our community and our 
efforts at redevelopment."  

Officials expect to introduce the Valley redevelopment plan in the next few 
weeks.  

"My plan is to see office and luxury residential building in Belleville," 
Melham said. "We are going forward with our plans. The light rail plan would be 
icing on the cake."  

Jeffery C. Mays covers Belleville. He can be reached at jmays_@_starledger.com or 
(973) 392-4149.  
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End of ErieLack Digest V3 #208
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