Northeast Corridor rail upgrades in the works

The federal government held an open house session in Newark on Thursday to lay out its vision for a better and more reliable Northeast Corridor rail service.

Four potential scenarios were presented for the line that runs from Washington, D.C. to Boston, including NJ Transit's Trenton-to-NYC route.

"As the region continues to grow, we need to be prepared for that," said Rebecca Reyes-Alicea, project manager with the Federal Railroad Administration. "We have such capacity issues and challenges today, given the aging infrastructure."

The Northeast Corridor handles 750,000 passengers daily, the FRA said.

Expanded capacity and more convenient connections would be included in three of the presented alternatives, as well as an increase in the number of rail tunnels under the Hudson River.

A fourth and less expensive plan known as the "No Action Alternative" would keep the line operational at "today's service levels." With this route, the FRA noted, service quality would likely decline.

An environmental impact study on the proposals is expected within a year; all scenarios are based on a vision through the year 2040.

Montclair resident Jack May said there's a high demand in the area for good rail service on the Northeast Corridor.

"There are people that just don't make trips because they cannot fit on board the trains," May said. "If you've tried riding them in rush hour, you would see what the situation is."

May, along with other members of the public, expressed concern about funding for the project.

"In the long run, it has to come from the taxpayers," he said.

When asked about funding, Reyes-Alicea said the process is "not at that stage yet."