Canal Arch viewed as golden by many

Friday, February 17, 2006

By KEVIN LECHISKI

The Warren Reporter

Staff Writer

PHILLIPSBURG -- The rise of the railroad industry during the second half of the 19th century proved be an overriding factor in the ultimate demise of the Morris Canal in 1924 by providing a more efficient means of transporting materials.

Nearly 100 years later, the Phillipsburg Riverview Organization (PRO) and various other stakeholders are hoping the same industry that greatly contributed to the demise of the canal will ultimately prove to be a key ally in bringing about a renaissance to one of the canal's most significant remains along the Delaware River.

PRO Chairman Mike King is hoping access issues will be worked out with property owner Norfolk Southern so a public display/exhibit can eventually be established at the Morris Canal Arch following its proposed restoration. The stone Arch designates the joining of the Morris Canal to the Delaware River and enabled canal vessels to proceed to two adjoining canal ways in Pennsylvania.

According to King, the restoration and public display of the Arch would not only preserve an important historical component of the canal, but also enhance local tourism, including drawing more people to the nearby steam train excursion that departs from Phillipsburg.

"The Arch would be an attraction unto itself," he said. "It would attract transportation buffs and others interested in canal history, and has a great potential to bolster the local train ride by bringing more people into the site."

King is hoping town officials will further the restoration effort as soon as possible, due to his concerns that a $300,000 federal grant awarded for the project over 10 years ago could become jeopardized. The grant was originally awarded to PRO, but has since been transferred to the town in hopes that the municipality would have better leverage in addressing the restoration and permanent access issues.

King said he is concerned over the possibility that Norfolk Southern could decide not to permit permanent access once the Arch restoration is finished due to safety concerns associated with the adjacent railroad trestles.

Rudy Husband, a Norfolk Southern spokesperson, said the rail company has agreed to grant access to the property for the Arch restoration. According to Husband, Norfolk Southern has not been contacted about permanent public access to the site. When asked if Norfolk Southern would entertain the possibility of providing permanent access if approached by the town or PRO, Husband said the company would definitely give it consideration.

King said potential safety concerns addressing issues of permanent access must be addressed by the railroad since many people already regularly go to the site. He is hoping town officials will step up their efforts in working with Norfolk Southern to have all safety concerns addressed.

"What you have now is unlimited access," he said. "If the area of the railroad trestles is unsafe, the railroad either needs to prevent people from being there or install netting overhead to catch falling items to make it safe."

The Arch is located at the western end of the 102-mile canal that cut across Northern New Jersey between Phillipsburg and Jersey City. The Morris Canal was an engineering marvel of its era by conquering large elevation changes through the use of 23 inclined planes in which boats were removed from the water and raised or lowered on cradles by rail cable. The canal, which opened to through traffic in 1831, played a key role in the development of the area by linking the anthracite coal fields of northeastern Pennsylvania with northwestern New Jersey's iron industry and the markets of New York City. Other materials transported on the canal, in addition to coal, included iron ore, timber, limestone and agricultural products.

Supporters are hoping to further the arch restoration through a proposed 22-minute video documentary that would include images and commentary on the Morris Canal Arch and its significance to local history, as well as the overall significance of the Morris Canal. The documentary would be produced by the Pohatcong-based Informative Media, Inc.

Organizers of the documentary are aiming to have the program shown on public television.

The documentary's target audience would include school classrooms, library programs, community groups, students of local history and visitors to the steam engine tour in Phillipsburg.

Staff Writer Kevin Lechiski can be reached at klechiski@njnpublishing.com or (908) 852-3397.