The Delaware & Raritan River Railroad announced the completion of the “F&S Connection,” a 5-mile track rehabilitation project between Freehold and Farmingdale, through Howell, New Jersey, nine months ahead of schedule.

The Railroad ran a test train over the rebuilt track on September 15, 2023, marking the first train to run through between Freehold and Farmingdale since 1985. Regular train service on the line ended with the Penn Central in 1975, and will resume in early October. The project which links the Railroad’s Freehold and Southern branches started in January 2023 and included vegetation clearing, six (6) upgraded grade crossings, 25,000 track  feet of relayed rail, and 12,500 new crossties, over 8,000 of which were made of environmentally sustainable steel.

In addition to linking the Railroad’s separate branches into one efficient network, the project reroutes freight trains off of New Jersey Transit’s busy North Jersey Coastline, opens the Southern branch for heavier 286K railcars, consolidates interchange with Conrail at Jamesburg, and provides a shorter and faster route to rail customers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

The Railroad will be marking the completion of the F&S Connection with the driving of the last spike by Farmingdale Mayor Jim Daly and Howell Mayor Theresa Berger near Academy Street on Friday October 13, 2023 at 1:00PM. The event, which is open to the public, will include railroad displays, remarks by dignitaries, and live music until 5:00PM. In addition to network efficiencies, the rebuilt railroad is expected to attract new rail
customers and reduce local truck traffic.

The $12M project was funded in large part by the New Jersey Department of  Transportation Rail Freight Assistance Program, and the State’s grade crossing improvement funds. Accessorial work yet to be completed under the project will include the South Leg of the Farmingdale Wye, siding construction and rehabilitation, and grade crossing improvements in Freehold, Howell, and Shrewsbury.

 via Press Release