NJT’s Damaged Coast Line Ahead of Schedule

One of NJ Transit's badly damaged rail lines may be back in operation sooner than expected.

Transit executive director James Weinstein tells The Associated Press that the North Jersey Coast Line could resume limited service between Long Branch and New York City within seven to 10 days.

The line suffered heavy damage from Superstorm Sandy. Several boats and cargo containers washed up onto a drawbridge, and the storm surge pushed another bridge between South Amboy and Perth Amboy off line.

Weinstein says initial estimates were that it would take months to repair the bridge. But he now says the repair could conclude by the end of this week and service could be restored after that from Long Branch.

Weinstein also says service could resume on the Montclair-Boonton line this week.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)