The Ocean County and Monmouth County Boards of Chosen Freeholders, Monmouth-Ocean Development Council (MODC), Central Jersey Rail Coalition and the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers prefer LAKEHURST TO MONMOUTH JUNCTION (OPTION 1) for the following reasons:

•  The Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction alignment would connect with the Northeast Corridor, allowing direct rail access to both northbound and southbound NJ Transit and Amtrak destinations, including New York City, Newark Airport, Rutgers University, Princeton, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, Washington, DC, etc.

•  Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction will service the fastest growing sections of Ocean and Monmouth Counties.

•  Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction will reduce traffic congestion on Route 9.

•  Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction will provide public transportation in the section of the tri-county region that has the least amount of public transportation.

•  Except for one short section, the tracks along this route are all still being used by freight trains of Conrail Shared Assets.

•  The Lakehurst to Monmouth Junction alignment will increase public transportation for the largest number of residents.

Link to Monmouth County Planning Department Documents:

PowerPoint Presentation to the Board of Chosen Freeholders (June 2005)

White Paper – Why Monmouth Junction?