adding more rail for capacity

I read an article recently in the Bergen Record about CSX/NS adding more trackage in north jersey this summer to relieve congestion..anyone know where this will take place?

There have been plans for years to 3rd track the Lehigh Line to Potters, two track it from Potters to Bound Brook and two track the ex-Reading from Bound Brook to Trenton. The state is supposed to pay the bulk of it, which, of course, is the problem.

one thing that looks to be for sure, NS is adding a large siding between Flemington Junction and Stanton Station, approximately MP 51-54, which should be a big help on the lehigh line.

The project to put the second track back in between Potter and Bound Brook may have already started. Funding for this is coming from both CSX/NS (1/2) and the State of New Jersey/Port Authority (1/2).

There was a company taking a look at all of the bridges this past week, as well as surveyors making various markings in the CP Potter vicinity.

Don't forget that there is a pipeline which runs alongside the route (north side) and property lines and easements must be noted.

With traffic levels averaging near 43-44 per day......it is needed soon...

Diamond_D wrote:one thing that looks to be for sure, NS is adding a large siding between Flemington Junction and Stanton Station, approximately MP 51-54, which should be a big help on the lehigh line.

That's a needed improvement. Back in LV glory days, most of the line was double tracked.

I think they may have centered the remaining track in several areas, so there may be some shoving and repositioning to do.

Lackawanna484 wrote:I think they may have centered the remaining track in several areas, so there may be some shoving and repositioning to do.

IF they ever get around to doing the whole line again (sounds so stupid every time I say it... just like tearing up the Cutoff... take out x miles of track to save a few bucks, now you gotta lay it allll back down), I wonder what their Pattenburg plan is?

Diamond_D wrote:

Lackawanna484 wrote:I think they may have centered the remaining track in several areas, so there may be some shoving and repositioning to do.

IF they ever get around to doing the whole line again (sounds so stupid every time I say it... just like tearing up the Cutoff... take out x miles of track to save a few bucks, now you gotta lay it allll back down), I wonder what their Pattenburg plan is?

The cntering of track was a quick way to allow double stacks and larger cube boxes on some routes. It also let them sell the side of the right of way for natural gas pipelines, fiber optic lines and other income producing properties.

I think there are natural gas pipelines on both sides of the Lehigh Valley for a ways west of Flemington, which could be a problem if they wanted to double track that area.

I wonder what effect, if any, Edison Twp.'s opposition to this plan has had. The NIMBY mayor http://www.edisonnj.org/dot

and his friends from Trenton...
"Our state senator, Barbara Buono and our state assemblymen, Peter Barnes and Patrick Diegnan were present at the meeting. Mrs. Buono stated that she and her colleagues are on our side and will represent us (Westgate Square condo owners) in opposing this additional railroad line. "

remain opposed to Lehigh Line expansion through Edison.

All those letters are from 1993.........There were crazy with anti rail meetings that year as well, but its been really quiet for the last year.....

I don't think they know its coming to fruition this quickly, and I'm not going to tell them.......

mark
(westgate condo owner)

I recently saw surveyors along the Lehigh Line in Middlesex too.

during the winter of 03-04 I was a flagman for the survorys between CP-Aldene and CP-NK. They told me they were survaying for a 3rd track, just how far down the pipeline it is I'm not sure.

What kind of time frame are they giving for completion of the project?