Despite the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) opting not to perform a required study for the planned Glassboro-Camden light rail line, the plan locally is to proceed with the project, according to Associated Press wire and local media reports.

In a July 29 letter, the FTA informed the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) that they would not perform the necessary environmental study because "no agency has said it would build or operate the line," according to the AP.

The environmental study was required to secure federal funding for half the cost of the $1.6 billion project, according to a previous Times report.

State Senate President Steve Sweeney said NJ Transit could possibly head the effort, adding that he wants to use a "restored state transportation trust fund to help pay for the project," the AP reported.

The long-gestating project would connect passengers from Glassboro to the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden, where riders can catch a PATCO train or transfer to the River Line.

Stops along the way would include Rowan University, Pitman, Sewell, Mantua Boulevard, Wenonah, Woodbury Heights, two stops in Woodbury, and Crown Point Road in Westville.

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Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@southjerseymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.