Jtgshu wrote:R36 Combine Coach wrote:I assumed no new construction assuming the BR&W used its connection to the Lehigh Valley line and ran to Bound Brook or Bridgewater.
Ohhh well thats different - and wouldn't go to Somerville then
Before we get too excited about any of this, remember one of the big stumbling blocks with West Trenton restoration is what to do at Port Reading Junction. Sure, going west on the Lehigh Line towards BRW would be easier than crossing over and going down CSX's West Trenton Line, but i wouldn't expect either NS or CSX to be too thrilled with any of these ideas....
not exactly sure i know the background and understand the situation-
but wouldn't (couldn't) you just come up the Lehigh line from Flemington area and then turn north BEFORE Port reading Junction to go up along polemus (sp?) ave by the trash transfer station and hook in just west of the Bridgewater Station? If I understand correctly the West Trenton Line has to cross the lehingh line from the south to the north to get to that 'polemus' track to hit the Bridgewater RVL station?
i know that a one of the passing sidings for the lehigh line is a bit west of the BR&W connection. From looking at sat pics on the internet looks like it is single track from their to ~ Roycefeild Road in Hillsborough and then double track from their to to Port Reading Junction? BUT it looks like it could get double tracked to Roycefield and then the bridges from there are either 3 or 4 tracks with only 2 sets- so room for a third. So without having a clue- looks like you could add a track on the ROW specifically for NJT all the way from the BR&W to Bridgewater Station on the RVL. So the only operational mess would be getting off the BR&W across the Lehigh line and onto the mythical NJT Track. Not so crazy it would seem. NS wouldnt be happy but maybe wouldn't despise it?
I live in the Flemington area, I'd LOVE not having to schlep up to Raritan to get a train, but I'd have to imagine this is way down the list of things to do unless it is really simple and really cheap. And it still doesn't help that the 3 wise men got to Bethlehem faster than a RVL Raritan passenger can get to NYC.
I think more realistic outcome of any study that has hundreds of millions to spend is an all highway solution fixing the half arsed job the DOT did at the somerville circle years ago and actually correction that and the adjacent First Avenue and Rt 22 intersections so that 202 actually moves. If 202 actually moves they could then invest some money in a park and ride at Raritan that is fed by 202 (it's like 3 blocks to the station from 202).
To me it's interesting that the other 2 options involve buses feeding rail (one option to Somerville and the other to Newark Penn). Since it's buses it's likely to happen- so at least they feed rail in the end.