by Al Holleuffer
The track that crosses Rte. 46 is privately owned by the Passaic Valley Water Commision, not NS. PVWC pulled out its two sidings some years ago as they no longer have need for inbound rail shipments and all the other customers who formerly used it have long since gone out of business or relocated. At one time Elcon National Corp., a major supplier to the rail industry, had several sidings but they moved out some years ago. All of the buildings now house small companies that have no use for rail. The crossing will be removed under the current widening project now under way on Rte. 46.
Exempt status is not as easy to obtain as someone else stated. It involves a lenghtly process of meetings with all parties affected including the local board(s) of education. NJDOT must first conduct onsite observations and a judge must ultimately had down a court ruling establishing the EXEMPT status. I was personally involved in the Troy Hills Road case when I served as M&E's Superintendent. One local school board objected and almost caused the status to be denied. Only a serious rearend collision of a school bus stopped at the crossing changed their mind. Roads like Troy Hills Rd. which have no shoulder for these vehicles to pull over on are the ones most often granted Exempt status.
Al Holleuffer
Exempt status is not as easy to obtain as someone else stated. It involves a lenghtly process of meetings with all parties affected including the local board(s) of education. NJDOT must first conduct onsite observations and a judge must ultimately had down a court ruling establishing the EXEMPT status. I was personally involved in the Troy Hills Road case when I served as M&E's Superintendent. One local school board objected and almost caused the status to be denied. Only a serious rearend collision of a school bus stopped at the crossing changed their mind. Roads like Troy Hills Rd. which have no shoulder for these vehicles to pull over on are the ones most often granted Exempt status.
Al Holleuffer