Bay Head-The borough is taking its fight to curtail NJ Transit’s rail-yard improvement project to court.

The Borough Council decided last month it would appeal the state’s decision to deny a request for a hearing on a Coastal Area Facility Review Act permit, which was approved in August.  The appeal was filed in Superior Court, Trenton, on June 20.

Ken Miller, a spokesman for NJ Transit, said his agency does not comment on litigation.

NJ Transit has said the $16 million improvement project is needed to modernize its fueling and maintenance operations at the Bay Head yard, the southern terminus of the North Jersey Coast Line.  The agency contends the upgrades will address complaints of excessive noise, lighting and diesel fumes.  The agency also expects to remove contaminated soil.

But many residents are angered by the proposal, which includes adding a 950-foot-long inspection track and a 35-foot-high fueling canopy that will stretch over nine of the twelve tracks in the yard.

Asbury Park Press
Regional Week in Review
Sunday, June 30, 2002