LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

SENATE, No. 1859

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JULY 3, 1997

      Senate Bill No. 1859 of 1997 requires the New Jersey Transit Corporation to install markers at every one-tenth of a mile interval along the right-of-way of rail lines that are used for rail passenger service. In addition, the corporation would be required to develop an emergency response plan for rail passenger lines, to submit the plan to the Commissioner of Transportation, and, as needed, to include funding requests to improve emergency vehicle access to rail lines in the annual report of proposed projects to be financed by the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority.

      Unofficial estimates by the corporation suggest that the cost of installing markers may be in the $50,000 to $100,000 range. However, the installation of markers on the North East Corridor Rail Line, used for passenger service by both AMTRAK and the corporation, may be a joint effort.

      As to the development of an emergency response plan and subsequent emergency vehicle access improvements to rail lines, the corporation is likely to rely on the financial resources of the Transportation Trust Fund or federal funds to address these requirements.

      This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.