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Full service on New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley Line will resume Dec. 17, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced yesterday.

The line has been operating on a modified schedule since Hurricane Sandy severely damaged NJ Transit's infrastructure last month. The agency now is operating more than 99 percent of its pre-Sandy rail service into New York Penn Station, Christie administration and agency officials said in a prepared statement.

Also yesterday, NJ Transit Executive Director James Weinstein reaffirmed the agency's commitment to enhancing its resiliency for future storms.

"It is vital that we rebuild for the future, not merely settle for returning the system to its pre-storm state," he said. "We have made tremendous progress restoring service to customers. Now, we have to plan wisely for the future simultaneously as we continue to repair bridges, electrical substations and other facilities."

Earlier this week, Weinstein faced tough questioning in the New Jersey Legislature for the agency's decision to store trains during the hurricane in two rail yards that are in high-risk flooding areas.

Last week, Weinstein told a U.S. Senate panel that the agency sustained $400 million in hurricane-related damage, including the loss of $100 million in trains and equipment.