STB to hold environmental hearing on Conrail plan to abandon NJ rail line

The Surface Transportation Board today announced its Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) will hold a virtual public hearing on Sept. 28 to receive comments on a proposed abandonment of the Harsimus rail line in New Jersey.

The case involves a historic review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act as part of a proposal by Conrail, CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway to abandon and discontinue service over a 1.36 mile portion of railroad known as the Harsimus Branch located in Jersey City.

The purpose of the public meeting, which will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time, will be to update the public on the status of the case, as well as to gather comments on the proposal, STB officials said in a press release.

The STB procedural history regarding the case can be found in the board’s decision issued in August 2022. 

Attendees who wish to comment on the case are asked to register by contacting Karen.Stevens@stb.gov. To sign up to attend the virtual meeting, click here.