Construction begins on NJ Transit’s new Elizabeth Station

New Jersey (NJ) Transit will begin construction later this fall of the new Elizabeth train station platform and extension project on the Northeast Corridor.

Customers will begin seeing impacts related to the major construction in the coming weeks, including the temporary closure of the Track 1 staircase and sections of the platforms.

Beginning on or about Sept. 30, and continuing for several months, sections of both platforms as well as the Track 1 staircase located on the East Broad Street side at Elizabeth Station will be temporarily closed due to the major station enhancements and platform extension work.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience as we make these vital improvements, which are part of a $71 million project to completely modernize our Elizabeth Station on the Northeast Corridor,’’ said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett. “This project demonstrates NJ Transit’s commitment to preserving our rail stations as valuable assets for the communities we serve.”

The construction at the Elizabeth rail station will feature new inbound and outbound station buildings, longer platforms for additional boarding capacity, as well as improvements to ADA access, security and communications systems and improvements to the customer experience.

During this renovation phase, customers may use alternate stairs near the station on the West Grand Street side or station elevators to access the platform. Trains will remain accessible via open areas on the platforms during construction.

Important note for customers requiring accessible services: Between the hours of 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. daily, Elizabeth Station will not be ADA accessible. During these hours, construction will require trains to arrive/depart at platform areas in which use of low-level boarding, train stairs and a temporary walkway will be required for customers to board/alight.

Customers requiring accessible services are encouraged to use nearby accessible stations such as Newark Penn and Linden during these hours. Customers not requiring ADA accessibility may continue to use Elizabeth Station.

The NJ Transit Board of Directors approved the Final Design and Construction contract with Anselmi and DeCicco in the spring of 2018 in the amount of $49.2 million. In addition, the board of directors approved a contract for Construction Management Services with WSP USA Inc. in the amount of $4.7 million. The total project cost is estimated at $71 million and construction is scheduled to finish in 2022.

When complete, customers will enjoy new station buildings, longer platforms for improved boarding of 12-car trains, climate-controlled platform shelters, additional elevators, improved ADA access, new customer communication systems and additional security elements.

Final design and construction will allow for the following:

· New inbound and outbound station buildings;

· Restoration of the existing pedestrian tunnel;

· Rebuilding existing high-level platforms with construction of approximately 300 linear feet on each platform to accommodate 12-car train boarding capacity;

· Additional connections to the public right-of-way;

· New platform canopies and climate-controlled platform shelters;

· ADA access improvements including two new elevators, rehabilitation of existing two elevators and new ADA ramps;

· New passenger communication systems and variable message signs;

· Security systems;

· Restoration of the existing plaza area; and

· Installation of TransitArts elements.

While the work is ongoing, customers are encouraged to allow for extra travel time and to obey posted signs for safety reasons. Do not travel through barricaded areas.