Gloucester County officially certified election results in Mantua late last month that included a unanimous no on the proposed Glassboro Camden-Line (GCL).
The GCL is a light rail transit proposal by the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) that would run from Glassboro to Camden. Mantua is one of the communities projected to be on its route.
The Nov. 7 non-binding ballot question asked residents, “Do you support the construction of the proposed Glassboro-Camden Line light rail transit system?” According to the county board of elections, 5,002 voters responded, with a majority of 3,424 against the idea.
The township committee was expected to issue a resolution at its Monday, Dec. 18, meeting to address the election result, according to Mayor Robert Zimmerman.
Among concerns about the rail line proposal – from residents in Mantua and nearby communities – are potential environmental impact; the line’s heavy cost; excessive noise; and a possible increase in crime, among others. Opposition has resulted in a Facebook group, NoToGCL, and regular appearances by its members at committee meetings.
That reaction has led to meetings of township officials with the team behind the GCL to discuss the concerns, including costs and the application of quiet zones.
“The GCL will pay for all costs associated with the ‘quiet zones,’ equipment, installation, engineering, application process and maintenance,” Zimmerman said. “Mantua’s responsibilities will be to sign off on the application and maintain any signs that are on the roadway.
“The GCL could not speak to the insurance for quiet zones, but the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) indicated that there has never been a successful lawsuit as a result of a quiet zone.”
A possibile public forum on the line has also been discussed.
“We again requested public information sessions and meetings with the GCL team for our residents to be held here in Mantua Township,” Zimmerman explained. “The GCL team responded that at this time, they have not committed to any dates.
“It was indicated that if they do any form of public outreach, it will be in a forum where they will have information booths/stations for individuals to ask specific questions,” the mayor added. “It will not be a public meeting setting with a panel.”
The GCL is currently in its engineering phase, noted Zimmerman, with 10% complete. The project’s design phase should be 30% complete by the end of 2024 and requests for proposals are expected to go out in 2025. Construction is expected to take about three years.
