Maybe we should call it the Zombie Line

Zombies are the undead — and so, apparently, is the MOM Line.

The rail proposal — which is supported by Monmouth and Ocean counties, but opposed in Middlesex — just won’t go away, no matter how illogical or expensive it will be to built or operate.

According to NJ.com, the folks in Monmouth think they can revive the plan by eliminating an expensive tunnel and replacing it with a transfer station. Considering that the line already offered the longest commute, adding a changeover is just plain dopey.

I’m going to have to agree with Mayor Frank Gambatese:

“The state is in dire need of money and this man refuses to acknowledge that this project is dead. If he is not willing to accept having trains go through Monmouth County, then he should just drop it. The whole MOM line should be put to bed.”

Gambatese also said D’Amico’s alternatives require traversing the Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, a plan that has drawn significant opposition from Gov. Jon Corzine and state Department of Environmental Protection officials who oppose putting any commuter rail line through the national and state historic landmark.

“If it goes through the park, it’s dead,” Gambatese said. “I suggest Mr. D’Amico start looking at what the people in his county need and meet it without impacting the people in Middlesex.”

Author: hankkalet

Hank Kalet is a poet and freelance journalist. He is the economic needs reporter for NJ Spotlight, teaches journalism at Rutgers University and writing at Middlesex County College and Brookdale Community College. He writes a semi-monthly column for the Progressive Populist. He is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks, drinks too much coffee and attends as many Bruce Springsteen concerts as his meager finances will allow. He lives in South Brunswick with his wife Annie. View all posts by hankkalet