BY SCOTT FALLON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Despite the millions of gallons of volatile crude being transported through the state by train, New Jersey will receive none of the $10 million awarded by the federal government Thursday to improve safety conditions on rail lines carrying the oil.
million awarded by the federal government Thursday to improve safety conditions on rail lines carrying the oil.
The Christie administration was among 34 applicants seeking a portion of the funds set aside by the Federal Railroad Administration to upgrade rail crossings along lines that have experienced an exponential increase in crude shipments. The oil, from the recent oil boom in North Dakota’s Bakken rock formation, has been involved in several fiery derailments, including one in Canada that killed 43 people three years ago.
Steve Schapiro, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said agency officials were disappointed in not receiving any funds but understands the process was competitive.
Related: Oil train bridges targeted in study; group says span over Passaic River decaying
Bergenfield Mayor Norman Schmelz was less diplomatic, saying the funding was inadequate to begin with. An estimated 15 to 30 trains, each carrying as much as 3 million gallons of crude, pass through his town each week. Like many communities in New Jersey, Bergenfield has homes, businesses, schools and government buildings within feet of the rail line.
“Ten million dollars probably wouldn’t be enough for Bergen County let alone the whole United States,” said Schmelz, whose emergency managers are preparing a response plan in case of a derailment. “I can’t believe there would be places in the country that are in more of a dire situation than here.”
Grants were awarded Thursday to transportation departments in Washington state, California, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Federal Railroad Administration officials said they received requests totaling $50.8 million, more than five times the money available. “In short, there is more need than funding available and a lot of strong applications,” said Marc Willis, an agency spokesman. Neither state nor federal officials provided details Thursday about New Jersey’s application.
