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Gloucester City: Proposed Rail Line to Gloucester County Explained to Public

By Sara Martino

NEWS Correspondent

  Residents gave input about possible passenger rail service through Gloucester City during a Public Open House last week at Mary Ethel Costello School.

  "There has been a tremendous response from the public regarding options for an expanded rapid transit service that will lighten the burdens of traffic in certain areas," said John Matheussen, CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority, during the meeting.

  Upon arriving, the public was asked to fill out a PATCO comment form.

  Some specific questions were: Do you experience congestion delays when traveling to/from work?

  Does the existing public transportation system meet your travel needs?

  A list of factors as to why a resident would take the train instead of driving included: "To save money on gas, avoid sitting in traffic, quicker travel, station located near my home."

  Most of the drivers who do travel the affected highways would probably answer "yes" to the above.

  Information boards on the three recommended train routes were on display throughout the auditorium.

  A slide show with information was continuously running. But, many residents were in the hallway talking to Matheussen and other officials regarding the options.

  Alternative #1 would be run along Route 42 and the Atlantic City Expressway, Alternative #2 would be run in the vicinity of Route 55, and Alternative #3 would be located along the Conrail right of way.

  The rail service would go from Philadelphia to Glass-boro or Williamstown.

  Estimated cost of construction right now is $1.5 billion. The DRPA will apply for funding from the Federal government to help offset the costs, and has received some funds for the continued studies.

  Matheussen said the train would travel to Philadelphia and commuters would not have to get off the train and board another method of transportation.

  "It would be a one seat ride to Philadelphia over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge," he said.

  Currently, there are 34,-000 riders using PATCO, and when the train routes are operating, the officials see that amount rising to 70,000.

  Many residents were concerned about children and residents that would cross the train tracks.

  "There would be a high fence with a three-foot barbed wire on top. At some places there may be a high wall. The trains would be below street grade and pedestrian crosswalks would be erected," the CEO said.

  Another good point mentioned was that the train would decrease most of the gridlocks when an accident occurs on Route 42.

  According to the PATCO information boards, numerous studies in the past 50 years were conducted by state agencies and there were not any recommendations/results made for Gloucester and Cumberland counties.

  "The deciding factor will be the approval and support of the public. Many technical issues and decisions must be researched," Matheussen said. "This project will go through more studies and public meetings. The construction period will take up to three or four years and the inception of the routes may be more than seven years away."

  Interested residents may call Project Hotline at 856-968-2252 for information or visit the website at www.ridepatco.org.

  The website includes most of the information that is on display at the public meetings, and a list of upcoming meeting dates.

 

 

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