Project Background
In October 2005 the Southern New Jersey to Philadelphia Transit Study, sponsored by the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) and the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) was completed. This study identified the most recent needs and potential public transit improvements for a study area that extends from Cumberland County to downtown Philadelphia, including Gloucester and Camden Counties and portions of Salem County in New Jersey.
Population and employment continue to grow in Southern New Jersey, particularly in Gloucester and Cumberland Counties. Employment in Center City Philadelphia is the major attraction for trips originating from Southern New Jersey. As a result, a significant increase in travel demand is expected in the study area with limited improvements in the already at-capacity roadway system.
Traffic growth and congestion on the primary roadways in the regional area has been rapid and obvious. New Jersey Routes 42 and 55 experience significant congestion during the morning and evening peak periods. I-76 also experiences significant levels of congestion during the morning and evening peak periods and the interchange of I-295/I-76/Route 42 is currently under study by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) with a completion date of 2012.
The region must look to improvements in public transportation in order to improve mobility, economic development, air quality and impacts on current and future land uses.
The recently completed feasibility study examined several transit improvements including rapid transit on existing railroad alignments, the median of Route 55 and the Route 42 corridor. The study concluded that all three were worthy of further study and that a more detailed Alternatives Analysis Study be carried out as is required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Thus, the Southern New Jersey to Philadelphia Mass Transit Alternatives Analysis Study is currently underway. The purpose of this study is to expand upon the previously conducted study in 2005 with the goal of improving public transportation from Southern New Jersey to Philadelphia.
Public Involvement is critical to the Southern New Jersey Transit Expansion Study. We encourage you to use this site to learn more about the study and we welcome your comments and feedback.
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