Chester Branch Railroad rehab complete
Written by jrood
The rehabilitation of the Chester Branch Railroad, a four-mile line in Roxbury Township, N.J., is now complete. In April 2010, the county was awarded $5.8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund this rehabilitation project. The funds were directed to the county through the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. The active freight line now serves Roxbury commercial users, but with the rehabilitation, the freeholders said it has the potential to also serve customers in Randolph, in particular the former Westinghouse site, now the BETA Corporate Park. Freeholder Gene Feyl, first vice chairman of the NJTPA, said rail is once again becoming the more cost-effective and efficient means of transportation. "If we are to relieve congestion on our highways, mitigate air pollution and move people and goods rapidly, efficiently and economically, the only conclusion must be in the restoration of a robust rail network," Feyl said. Feyl said since one rail car is approximately equivalent to four tractor trailers, the efficient use of Chester Branch rail line has the potential to reduce truck traffic along major roadways in the county. The Chester Branch freight line was donated to the county by Jack Holland, owner of Holland Industries, in October 2009 and the Morristown & Erie Railway has a management agreement with the county to continue to operate on the Chester Branch.
