CONNERS/CONAWAY RAILWAY 'QUIET ZONE' BILL PASSES ASSEMBLY

Measure Would Help Communities Situated Near Light Rail Lines

(TRENTON) - The Assembly today passed legislation Assemblymen Jack Conners and Herb Conaway, MD sponsored that would request the federal government to establish a funding program to help small towns located near light rail lines create "quiet zones."

"Quiet zones" are areas along light rail grade crossings where the sounding of a locomotive horn is not required.  To establish these zones, local communities must comply with the Federal Railroad Administration's stringent and expensive requirements concerning safety equipment and engineering studies.  Municipalities currently are required to meet quiet zone compliance requirements without federal funding assistance.

"Quiet zones help improve the quality of life for residents living near railroad tracks," said Conners (D-Camden).  "However, creating a quiet zone can come at great expense to a community.  The federal government should do its part to assist municipalities struggling to meet expensive quiet zone compliance standards."

The Conners/Conaway legislation (AR-97) would request the United States government to establish a funding program to help defray the costs incurred by local communities when establishing quiet zones along light rail lines.

"New Jerseyans should not be forced to foot the bill for unfunded federal mandates," said Conaway (D-Burlington).  "As our emphasis on transportation continues to highlight mass transit - especially light rail - we must ensure we have the federal financial support necessary to make quiet zones a reality."

The measure passed 76-6 with one abstention.  It now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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