NJ TRANSIT Moves Forward With Resiliency Upgrades at Hoboken Terminal
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of NJ TRANSIT
NEWARK, N.J. – NJ TRANSIT announced it has approved a contract to construct six new tracks, three ADA-accessible high-level platforms and a new passenger/rail personnel facility.
NJ TRANSIT will go through with resiliency upgrades at Hoboken Terminal as part of its Long Slip Fill and Rail Enhancement Project. According to a release, NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors approved a contract for the construction of “six new tracks, three ADA-accessible high-level platforms, and a new passenger/rail personnel facility.” There was also a separate contract approved for special trackwork as part of the project.
The Long Slip Fill and Rail Enhancement Project is located within the Hoboken Rail Yard along the Hudson River Waterfront near northeastern Jersey City and southern Hoboken. According to the release, NJ TRANSIT was awarded an FTA competitive resiliency grant for the project “to provide flood protection, surge protection for rail yard equipment and infrastructure, and flood resilient commuter tracks and platforms.”
After the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the Long Slip project will help to ensure future storms do less damage and “also provides the opportunity to construct new ADA-accessible rail platforms well above surge levels that adds greater capacity at Hoboken Terminal, and further ensures the integrity of the transportation network following extreme weather events.”
Phase 1 of the project was completed back in June 2023, and it extended the municipal sewer that allowed the former canal to be filled in. Phase 2 includes constructing new tracks and a new station area with ADA-accessible high-level boarding platforms as well as a new passenger/rail personnel facility. This is part of NJ TRANSIT’s Resilience Program.
NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett said the “approval of Phase 2 for this project marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to significantly improve resiliency, accessibility, and the customer experience at Hoboken Terminal . . . This vital project not only enhances the experience at one of the tri-state region’s busiest intermodal transit hubs, but it supports our broader resiliency strategy by fortifying our network against the impacts of extreme weather events.”
With this movement forward with resiliency upgrades, the Board authorized NJ TRANSIT to “enter into a contract with Schiavone Construction Co., LLC of Secaucus, New Jersey, in the amount of $211,134,822.00, plus 10 percent for contingencies, for Phase 2 of construction services.” In addition, the Board approved another contract with Voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, LLC for the purchase of “Special Trackwork in the amount of $1,898,198 + 5% for contingencies.” The Special Trackwork here refers to five wood timber turnouts, four concrete crosstie turnouts, one wood timber crossover, and one wood timber double slip switch. This totals 11 individual Special Trackwork packages as part of Phase 2 of the project.
