@Tanker1497 That seems plausible. I'm not sure if there would be any NIMBY complaints about Farmingdale to Freehold being reopened as the line mainly runs through farmlands. Farmingdale doesn't mind the trains at least.
It's very strange what's been going on with the ROW. First they rebuild part of the track that leads to it after 10 years of inactivity, then they spray construction markings along where the line used to be, then a foundation for what looks like a crossing relay case is built. On top of all this, I hear rumors that they want the line reopened. Very strange indeed.
Just on Clayton spending money on new crossings, this is indeed true but they didn't pay for every crossing.
Turns out the one being built on Union Ave in Lakehurst was paid for out of pocket by Seashore Lines. The DOT paid for the new crossing surface and did that work themselves.
Going back and looking through what little info there is, I've found that Conrail, NJ Transit, the NJDOT, Clayton, and Seashore Lines have all put at least some form of money into repairs on the line between South Lakewood and Woodmansie. Seashore Lines did their work (track and roadbed repairs) with grant money. Clayton paid for at least two crossing rebuilds. Transit paid for the two bridges between South Lakewood and Lakehurst, and Conrail spent their money on various projects like the crossing on 571, clearing the tracks in 2015, and repairing the bridge under Route 70. (which they ROYALLY screwed up)
The future of this line is uncertain. Especially since North Jersey Management wants nothing to do with it. The bright side is I have been hearing good things about what next year might bring. What I've been hearing is still a bit all over the place, but I can say for sure that the future of this line is a bright one. Even if we have to wait a bit longer to get there.