Federal Recovery Act funds for New Jersey Transit projects
Written by jrood
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today said $298.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars will go to NJ TRANSIT for 13 projects that will improve aging infrastructure, help ease daily commutes and generate jobs across the region.
"This is what the
Recovery Act is all about – putting people to work on projects that will help
jump-start our economy and modernize our public transportation systems at the
same time," Secretary LaHood said during a press conference at Metropark
Station in Woodbridge, N.J.
Governor Jon Corzine
applauded the announcement. "I want to thank Secretary LaHood and the Obama
Administration for their commitment to action by providing these American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds" said Governor Corzine. "As a result, we’ll
be able to kick-off a new slate of shovel-ready projects to make necessary
infrastructure improvements that will help to stimulate our economy, save jobs
and create new jobs for New Jersey residents."
In addition to the Mass
Transit Tunnel Project, which consists of two new tunnels under the Hudson
River and a new rail station underneath 34th Street in midtown Manhattan, this
recovery money will also pay for bus, van and railcar purchases, as well as
facility, track, and safety and bridge improvements throughout the system.
To date, the U.S.
Department of Transportation has made $24.1 billion in Recovery Act funds
available nationwide for over 7,400 projects.
NJ TRANSIT $298.7
Million Recovery Grant, Breakdown by Project
Access to the Region’s
Core (ARC)/Mass Transit Tunnel – $130 Million
Funds for the nine-mile
commuter rail Mass Transit Tunnel project connecting New Jersey and Manhattan
will be used for the following:
* $110 million for design and engineering
expenses, as well as costs associated with construction and project management
activities.
* $20 million for a new underpass structure to carry Route 1& 9
over the new ARC Core tracks and modifications to the building located at 2001
Tonnelle Ave.
Lower Hack Drawbridge
Rehabilitation (Phase II) – $30 Million.
Lower Hack drawbridge is a
three-track bridge that carries NJ TRANSIT’s Morris & Essex and
Montclair-Boonton Line trains over the Hackensack River between Kearny and
Jersey City in Hudson County. Rehabilitation will include concrete and
structural steel repairs.
Morristown Line
Bi-Directional Signal Improvements – $25 Million. This project involves
installation of a train traffic control system on the Morristown Line of NJ
TRANSIT’s Morris & Essex Lines. This system allows for bi-directional train
operation on a two-track segment between Summit and Denville, providing
increased capacity and flexibility on NJ TRANSIT’s commuter rail system.
River LINE Cab Signal System
– $24 Million
.
Funds will be used for the design, purchase and
installation of an Automatic Train Control signal system for NJ TRANSIT’s
34-mile River LINE light rail system, which provides service between Camden and
Trenton, N.J. An ATC system will permit the train operator to view the current
signal restrictions from the cab of the light rail vehicle, rather than relying
on wayside signals along the right-of-way. In addition to providing a
significant enhancement in managing train movements, an ATC system satisfies
the requirement of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to install "Positive
Train Control" by December 2015.
Plauderville
Station/High-Level Platform – $15 Million. Funds will be used to install
high-level platforms, canopies, heated shelters, and ramps at the Plauderville
Station, which serves the Bergen County Commuter Rail Line and local bus
service in Garfield, NJ, allowing boarding for persons with disabilities.
Edison Station Park and
Ride – $11 Million. This project involves the construction of a supplemental
parking facility to serve the increased commuter needs at NJ TRANSIT’s Edison
Station, including construction of an approximately 475-space surface parking
lot with new daily and monthly permit spaces on the outbound side of the existing
station.
Various Other Projects –
$12.7 Million
* $4.7 million for the
Enhanced Track Rehabilitation Project, which involves replacement of ties,
rails and switches along various rail lines throughout the system* $2.0 million
for construction of an intermodal transit center and parking facility in
Pennsauken, New Jersey.
* $2.0 million for exterior pedestrian traffic and
circulation improvements on the west side of Newark Penn Station.
