to the center of town.
Under this
arrangement NJ Transit would still provide train service to the station from Princeton Junction but RDC would also be willing to consider taking over sole operation of the Dinky. The proposal was tabled without any further action from the borough.
Controversial to the End
Discussions about relocating the sta- tion began in 2011, with a formal pro- posal made on January 20, 2012. A firestorm of protest immediately fol- lowed over the next few months. On June 25, the NJ Transit board of direc- tors met in an unusual telephone con- ference to discuss the matter of Prince- ton station. The board overwhelmingly approved the university’s plans, with- out any public comment.
A local group called “Save the Prince- ton Dinky” has been leading the oppo- sition, waging a legal battle against both the university and NJ Transit. As this article was going to press, the group applied to the New Jersey De- partment of Environmental Protection regarding the historic status of the sta- tion and its function. A separate suit was filed against NJ Transit seeking a temporary order to halt the disman- tling until all arguments could be heard. That hearing is now scheduled for October 11.
The last day for the 1920-era station was Friday, August 23, and on Monday, August 26, a temporary station opened approximately 500 feet south along Alexander Road. During this time NJ Transit
Electric Traction crews re-
moved the catenary from just west of the temporary station to the end of track and terminated the existing cate- nary on a new support. Later NJ Tran- sit Maintenance of Way forces would remove the ties and rail leaving only the ballast in place. Shortly thereafter the university’s contractors moved in and
constructed a walking path
through the former right of way and started excavating near the former sta- tion. During this time of construction, neither NJT or the Princeton Universi- ty have made it easy for the passengers to walk from the new temporary station into downtown Princeton, despite new shuttle buses and other advertised con- veniences.
TOP: Looking up the denuded right of way, the old Princeton station can be seen looking strangely out of place without tracks in front of it. LEFT: A lone passenger approaches a waiting Dinky shuttle at Princeton Junction.
For more information about “Save the Princeton Dinky,” please visit
www.savethedinky.org 29
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