ISELIN, N.J. – N.J. Transit today broke ground today on a $47 million project to rebuild Metropark Station on the Northeast Corridor.
Originally designed as a suburban stop for Amtrak Metroliner trains, Metropark became New Jersey’s first “park and ride” station when it opened on November 11, 1971. The station quickly became a model of a “regional interceptor,” a station located near a major highway, providing adequate parking and convenient train options for rail travelers.
Today, Metropark is the busiest outlying (non-terminal) station in the N.J. Transit commuter rail network, accommodating four million passenger trips each year—14,200 N.J. Transit customers and 1,000 Amtrak customers each weekday.
Over the next three years, N.J. Transit will rebuild the station to accommodate higher ridership. The project scope includes new wider and longer covered platforms to accommodate trains up to 12-cars long, new climate-controlled shelters for customer comfort, an expanded station building and new public address and train information systems.
“We fight hard in Washington to ensure New Jersey train travelers have modern, comfortable stations that make their daily commute or longer-distance train trip enjoyable,” said Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg. “People in New Jersey deserve the best public transportation and this project will improve a premier system.”
“This investment is important on several levels,” said Sen. Robert Menendez. “Public transportation improves the quality of life for our residents, keeps our economy growing and it strikes a blow against global warming.”
Work on the platforms, station building and other components will be conducted in phases to allow the station to remain open to minimize inconvenience to customers. Crews will be deployed along tracks to keep workers safe at the station, where 106 N.J. Transit trains and another 47 Amtrak trains stop or pass through each weekday.
Project elements include:
New longer, wider platforms able to accommodate 12-car trains
Heated and air-conditioned platform shelters
Expanded station building with a second vendor space and larger waiting room
New pedestrian link from Route 27 to the westbound station platform to provide safer, more convenient access for area residents
New canopies extended farther along each platform
New enclosed stairways, new elevators and refurbished pedestrian tunnel
New customer public address system, LCD train information system and lighting
New sidewalks and landscaping
The project, which is expected to be completed in early 2010, is funded with state and federal sources.
“These station improvements will really make a difference for our residents and our continued investment in public transit is crucial to keeping New Jersey moving,” said Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, chairman of the Transportation and Public Works Committee.
The Metropark project is the second major N.J. Transit capital investment in Woodbridge Township in as many years. A $23 million rehabilitation project at Woodbridge Station on the North Jersey Coast Line was launched in the fall of 2005 and completed this spring. Together, the projects represent a $70 million investment, benefiting nearly 9,000 N.J. Transit customers.
“The investment in this station demonstrates Gov. Jon Corzine’s strong commitment to transit as an important way to relieve congestion, protect the environment and grow our economy,” New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri said.
“This project will deliver a more comfortable and convenient travel experience for our customers, which is critical to making N.J. Transit the preferred choice for travel in New Jersey,” N. J. Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles said. “And it is part of our ongoing commitment to continue making critical investments in the Northeast Corridor.”
“This project recognizes the importance of Metropark Station and it will give the residents of Woodbridge the level of service, comfort and convenience they deserve,” said Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac.
“The rebuilding of Metropark Station is a win-win for commuters and intercity rail travelers alike,” said Anne Witt, Amtrak Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development. “Investments by state partners that improve the travel experience for our customers are good for Amtrak and good for the regional economy.
This reconstruction project is a perfect example of our customers reaping the benefits of a coordinated planning process.”
— Special to Railfanning.org News Wire
