NJ3.org
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The
Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) has proposed expanding PATCO
service to areas in Camden, Gloucester and Cumberland counties.
Currently, the DRPA is evaluating and soliciting public comment for the
three alternatives that have been proposed. Residents for NJ-3 provides
a means
for residents of Camden, Gloucester and Cumberland counties who are in
support of Alternative NJ-3 to speak with one voice in support of the
proposal. As an organized group of South Jersey residents, Residents for NJ-3
will
work with area government officials, business owners and other civic
leaders to advocate on behalf of Alternative NJ-3.
Residents for NJ-3 Updates:
- 11.27.07 - The Gloucester County Times ran an article (Funding key for PATCO extension)
today which talked about the importance of securing federal funding if any PATCO expansion is to become a reality. As Residents for NJ-3 supporters already know, our FTA funding comparison (Left Menu) shows how NJ-3 is the alignment most likely to secure FTA funding based on the
fed's selection criteria.
- 11.9.07 - The DRPA has announced the dates and locations for the upcoming public hearings on the South Jersey Transit Study. It is critical that proponents of NJ-3 come out and show their vocal support for the Conrail alignment!
All open houses will take place between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The dates and locations are as follows:
•Deptford Municipal Building, 1011 Cooper Street, Deptford, NJ, 08096:
Tuesday, November 27.
•Cumberland Mall, near Value City Court, 3849 S. Delsea Drive, Vineland, NJ, 08360:
Wednesday, November 28.
•Glassboro Municipal Building, 1 South Main Street, Glassboro, NJ, 08028:
Thursday, November 29.
•Mary Ethel Costello Elementary School, 520 Cumberland Street,
Gloucester City, NJ, 08030: Tuesday, December 4.
•Monroe Township Municipal Building, 125 Virginia Avenue, Williamstown, NJ, 08094:
Thursday, December 6. Parking is available adjacent to the building.
- 8.15.07 - KYW reports that the next phase of the expansion study has been awarded to STV, the same company that conducted the first phase of the study.
- 6.21.07 - An article in today's Gloucester County Times discussed the start of the next phase of the expansion study. "Matheussen expects STV to complete the study within the next 18 months."
We should expect public hearings on the expansion in the near future and our
active and vocal support will be crucial to getting NJ-3 selected.
- 6.14.07 - The Gloucester County Times posted an article about a new DRPA study to examine traffic congestion entering Philadelphia from New Jersey. "The PennDOT-funded study will attempt to answer whether improvements to traffic signals or the layout of a system of roadways that lead into Philadelphia would have an impact. It will also determine if additional use of alternative modes of transportation, like biking, buses and the PATCO High Speedline, could reduce morning rush-hour traffic." The results of this study may be helpful to our cause.
We should expect public hearings on the expansion in the near future and our
active and vocal support will be crucial to getting NJ-3 selected.
- 5.18.07 - The Gloucester County Times reported the details of the dredging deal that has ended the stalemate. The Times reported that, as part of the deal, "Pennsylvania agrees to support the extension of the PATCO Hi-Speed Line into Gloucester County and Philadelphia, allowing the authority to undertake a $1.5 million study to determine the best route for a Gloucester County line." For now it looks like things will finally get back on track.
- 5.16.07 - The Gloucester County Times posted an article that says DRPA officials will meet on Thursday, breaking the 16 month long standoff. At the meeting, officials are expected to announce an agreement in the dredging dispute and pass budgets for 2006 & 2007. If budgets are passed, it will only be a matter of time before the DRPA can get back on track with the PATCO expansion project.
- 5.11.07 - KYW reported that the DRPA deadlock may be nearing a breakthrough.
- 1.9.07 - The Gloucester County Times posted an update on the third annual “State of the County” breakfast to be hosted at Rowan University on Friday 1.12.07 @ 8AM.
At the breakfast, John Matheussen, DRPA CEO, will specifically discuss the current status of the PATCO Hi-Speedline expansion. This breakfast is open to the public and will cost
$25 for chamber members, $35 for non-members. Information about attending is available here.
- 12.7.06 - The Gloucester County Times ran an article on the continued impasse. In it, John Matheussen, DRPA Chief Executive Officer,
states that the DRPA is "unable to spend $1.5 million from the New Jersey
Transportation Trust Fund earmarked for the expansion of the PATCO Hi-Speedline
into Gloucester County" as a result of the impasse. This is money that was secured in November of 2005, to be used for the next phase of the expansion study. The inability to spend the money is why the DRPA's timeline has gone off track.
- 11.15.06 - It's been a long time since our last update... and, unfortunately, much of that is due to the ongoing standoff between the
PA and NJ sides of the DRPA board, which has lasted an entire year. In a story on KYW 1060's
website about the ongoing standoff, DRPA Vice Chair Jeff Nash stated that the standoff was keeping the PATCO expansion on hold. Nash was quoted "...There are certain important projects that have not moved forward, such as the expansion of the
PATCO high-speed line to Gloucester County, which is a critical project for New Jersey.”
- 4.16.06 - The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a Q & A story on Residents for NJ-3: Ask... the Coordinator
- 4.6.06 - The two sides in the DRPA dredging dispute met according to this KYW news story: Can Pa. & NJ Strike a Deal Over Dredging the Delaware? The ongoing dispute in which Gov. Rendell has threatened to shut down PATCO and disolve the DRPA, has significant implications for the future of the PATCO expansion proposal.
- 3.27.06 - DRPA CEO John Matheussen comments on the proposed Rowan expansion as it relates to the PATCO expansion in the following Courier Post Article Rowan stadium could alter look of Route 322. Matheussen was quoted saying "Certainly the soccer stadium proposal and Rowan's expansion will have an impact on the study,... It will be a consideration, but it won't be the only consideration."
- 3.20.06 - Rowan University unveiled its plans for an estimated $1 billion expansion project called Rowan West. The planned expansion which includes the technology park and new athletic facilities, possibly including an MLS pro sports team lends a strong hand to our case for selecting NJ-3 to provide rail service to the growing Rowan community. See the Courier Post Article here Rowan unveils $1B dream.
- 3.15.06 - With the warmer weather approaching and public meetings expected to occur during the summer, we'll be looking for volunteers to help the cause. We'll need folks who are willing to deliver flyers door to door, write letters to the newspapers, and
volunteer their time at various events, as well as businesses who are willing to donate services and/or products (e.g. paper and copying for flyers, etc...) Be sure to join the list of supporters by clicking on "How can I support Alternative NJ-3?" on the left, and encourage your neighbors to visit the site by emailing them our URL, www.nj3.org.
- 3.11.06 - Rowan University's Dr. John Hasse, of the Geospatial Research Laboratory has completed a study entitled A Geographic Evaluation of Gloucester County Commuter Rail Corridor Options. His analysis clearly supports the selection of the NJ-3 alignment, arguing that it has
significantly greater pedestrian access and destination access when compared to the other two options. He also proposes an alternative for NJ-3 utilizing a light rail option similar to the RiverLINE which he argues would ultimately be the best alternative.
- 2.04.06 - The DRPA has provided us with a rough schedule for the next phase of the study. The Alternatives Analysis phase is expected to begin sometime next month, with the next set of public meetings around the summer months. So far, they have not given an indication that the current dredging dispute will prevent them from moving forward since the funds for the study were already allocated, however the current dispute has huge implications for the ultimate outcome of this proposal.
- 1.29.06 - New Jersey Municipalities published a fantastic article which highlights the success of NJ Transit's RiverLINE in their December 2005 issue. NJ TRANSIT's River Line
Opening Doors for Riverfront Communities In the article, NJ Transit Executive Director George D. Warrington is quoted "...the ultimate value of the River LINE will not be measured with ridership reports, but in economic growth and development in the communities along this corridor... It’s becoming increasingly evident that this line is, in fact, becoming a catalyst for economic growth and development." We believe that NJ-3 will do the same for Gloucester County.
- 1.13.06 - Courier Post columnist Kevin Riordan wrote an article about the PATCO expansion and Residents for NJ-3's efforts to get the DRPA to select Alternative NJ-3. Group hopes to bring speedline to Gloucester Co. In the article, he voices his opinion by saying "...the choice already is obvious... It's Alternative NJ-3"
- 11.30.05 - The DRPA released the final report on the transit study today. Southern New Jersey to Philadelphia Transit Study.
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