NEWS RELEASE
Salem County Board of Chosen Freeholders
94 Market Street. Salem, N.J. 08079
CONTACT: Deborah Turner-Fox, Clerk of the Board/Administrator
Jun 2, 2003
SALEM SLATED TO RECEIVE FUNDING FOR RAILROAD IMPROVEMENT
The New Jersey State Rail Plan (the Plan) for 2003/2004 has earmarked over $9.7 million dollars for reconstruction of the Salem Branch rail line. Funding is aimed at increasing the carload capacity of the rail, realignment, surfacing the beds and raising the track 3 inches to improve drainage.
New Jersey Department of Transportation Freight Services updates the Plan annually to preserve and improve those portions of the freight transportation network in the State aimed at supporting and promoting economic development. Currently this portion of the railroad services several Salem County businesses including Aluchem, Anchor Glass Container, CSP Distribution, Mannington Mills and South Jersey Farmer’s Exchange. " This rail line is an important asset to some of the major employers in Salem and we need to insure its viability into the future, " stated Freeholder Director Jack Kugler. A strong infrastructure will position Salem County’s Smart Growth Plan for success by channeling economic development initiatives into areas of the County which are ready to sustain this growth.
Senator Stephen Sweeney and Assemblyman John Burzichelli, in their respective Transportation Committee’s, actively supported the Plan. Kugler also commented " this is yet another example of how a unified legislative team that listens and works together to meet the needs of the constituents that they serve, delivers results for the citizens of Salem County and South Jersey." In total over half of the Plan’s total $22 million dollars will be spent on southern New Jersey rail projects in 2003/2004.