While the letter asks for NJDOT support in identifying sources for the money, Union County officials made it clear in comments to local media that they also expect New York State and the Port Authority to ante up. County Manager Michael Lapolla, noting the importance of the project to Howland Hook, said the job was "not our No. 1 priority." Last spring, newly elected county leaders had stated a commitment to the project after realizing its potential to attract industry and take trucks off local roads. But a Port Authority spokesman stated that the agency would not be funding any repair work. The NYC Economic Development Corp., which is scheduled to complete $15 million in bridge and track repairs on Staten Island this spring, is reportedly growing concerned with the delays on the New Jersey side. So are the operators of Howland Hook. "We had anticipated by the end of 1997 that we would be providing rail service," Howland Hook president Carmine Ragucci told the Advance. "The fact that we don't have it is very disappointing to us and to our customers."

Reactivation of the rail line would have a direct impact on truck traffic over the Arthur Kill, offering a better alternative to the Port Authority's plan to twin the Goethals Bridge. Rather than halting work on the regionally significant rail link, Union County might have been better off arguing for the additional funds it needs in the amendment to the TIP voted on by the North Jersey TPA last week.