Local opposition to the proposed Glassboro to Camden light rail line is strong, but this week, Governor Phil Murphy threw his full support behind the South Jersey project.
LD3 Democrat candidates John Burzichelli, Heather Simmons and Dave Bailey are also on record lining up behind the project.
The district’s famous incumbent legislator says it’s an unserious idea.
“No serious public servant could support this GCL project in good faith,” said state Senator Ed Durr (R-3). “I won’t stand here and watch special interests pull the strings of Phil Murphy and John Burzichelli while getting rich off my constituents. Sometimes being in elected office is hard, but balancing a project with zero public demand and massive taxpayer funded price tag is pretty easy: no thanks.”
According to supporters, “[t]he GCL is a proposed 18-mile passenger rail line restoring passenger rail service along the existing rail corridor between Glassboro and Camden in South Jersey. The GCL corridor traverses Gloucester and Camden counties including the communities of Glassboro, Pitman, Sewell, Mantua Township, Deptford Township, Woodbury Heights, Woodbury, Westville, Brooklawn, Gloucester City, and Camden.”
It’s unclear what the line could cost; the preliminary design alone comes with a $200 million price tag.
“This failed idea has been lingering around for all 20 years of John Burzichelli’s political career,” Durr continued. “It is time for fresh solutions and a new approach. Send the rail line down route 55 like it was originally designed for the purpose of servicing larger industrial areas like Vineland and eventually make its way to the shore, or expand route 55 and incorporate Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).”
