Montclair Trains Still Detoured Through Courts
The Montclair Connection, a quarter-mile track link between NJ Transit's Montclair Branch and the Boonton Line, continues to move slowly forward, despite litigation. The connection would connect the Boonton Line to the Morris and Essex Line, giving Boonton trains access to the Kearny Connection and NY's Penn Station. The one-seat ride to Manhattan will save upper Montclair and other commuters up to 30 minutes. The project, which will pass through a largely African-American neighborhood and displace 28 families, has been fought on several grounds, including civil rights and historic preservation. NJ Transit has also been criticized for not fully exploring the Orange and Kingsland Branches as an alternative for the Boonton Line connection. After Montclair officials sued last year, a federal court ruled that NJ Transit's arguments did not satisfy legal requirements, and remanded the Section 4(f) historic district claims to the FTA. FTA officials are now digesting new public comments and will submit new documents in the near future.
Despite the fact that many Montclair residents rate the project "4F" status, in a different sense of the term, 90% of the project design is complete, according to Fred Schultz, NJT Montclair Connection project manager. Land acquisition is being negotiated with cooperative land-owners, while other land-owners are taking a "wait and see" attitude. It is conceivable construction could begin as early as next year, says Schultz.
NJ Transit's Bay Street Station, at the end of the Morris and Essex Line Montclair Branch, would see more action if the Montclair Connection is built. The Boonton Line could see as many as 30 more trains per day once direct access to Manhattan's Penn Station is established.
