@NY&LB At the time, re-activation of the line was just a rumor floating around.
In 2009 work began to clear the ROW of all overgrowth between Lakehurst and Clayton, with the work finishing up in late 2010. In Spring of 2011, Lacey Rd and another crossing (forgot which one) were rebuilt completely. Throughout the next few years, Clayton and Seashore Lines worked on the line on and off. Around 2015, a big push to get the line open was started. Sections of the ROW south of Lakehurst were completely rebuilt and unfinished crossings were worked on. Conrail also began working on their tracks between Lakehurst and South Lakewood. The line was completely cleared of all foliage and the crossing on 571 was rebuilt. NJ Transit paid for the two bridges.
By 2018, most of the work needed between Lakehurst and Woodmansie was done. Conrail had let the trees grow back on their section though. Work stopped on the Seashore Lines ROW around this time. I think they ran out of grant money.
The sad part is, we were supposedly gonna see service start this year. That changed when the pandemic began, and no one was willing to put money towards the project because of uncertainty regarding the economy at the time. Things have calmed down now, so work has resumed.
About a month ago, Seashore Lines had a contractor crew from Kentucky come in to install the wiring and foundations for a new crossing on Union Ave. The crew has not returned yet, but will return by the end of December or early January to finish the crossing. What comes next is unknown, but I say keep an eye on things.
In 2009 work began to clear the ROW of all overgrowth between Lakehurst and Clayton, with the work finishing up in late 2010. In Spring of 2011, Lacey Rd and another crossing (forgot which one) were rebuilt completely. Throughout the next few years, Clayton and Seashore Lines worked on the line on and off. Around 2015, a big push to get the line open was started. Sections of the ROW south of Lakehurst were completely rebuilt and unfinished crossings were worked on. Conrail also began working on their tracks between Lakehurst and South Lakewood. The line was completely cleared of all foliage and the crossing on 571 was rebuilt. NJ Transit paid for the two bridges.
By 2018, most of the work needed between Lakehurst and Woodmansie was done. Conrail had let the trees grow back on their section though. Work stopped on the Seashore Lines ROW around this time. I think they ran out of grant money.
The sad part is, we were supposedly gonna see service start this year. That changed when the pandemic began, and no one was willing to put money towards the project because of uncertainty regarding the economy at the time. Things have calmed down now, so work has resumed.
About a month ago, Seashore Lines had a contractor crew from Kentucky come in to install the wiring and foundations for a new crossing on Union Ave. The crew has not returned yet, but will return by the end of December or early January to finish the crossing. What comes next is unknown, but I say keep an eye on things.
