NJ Transit advances Walter Rand Transportation Center replacement project
NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors awarded a contract to begin the design process for the replacement facility of the Walter Rand Transportation Center (WRTC).
The intended goal of the concept and design process is to identify the most viable redevelopment plan that best serves NJ Transit customers as well the city of Camden.
“Investing in our communities has been a top priority of our administration for the past four years,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “This is a major advancement towards providing the residents of Camden and surrounding area with a safe, clean and modern mass transit terminal that will help facilitate the further revitalization of downtown Camden.”
The contract to conduct conceptual design, preliminary and final engineering and construction assistance services for the WRTC was awarded to HNTB. The board approved the first phase for conceptual development and preliminary engineering at a cost of $4.4 million.
The design of the transit center seeks to include innovative approaches to providing public spaces which are inviting, safe, maintainable and are easy to access so the community residents, workers, visitors and transit customers feel welcomed and enjoy a positive experience.
“The design of a new facility for the Walter Rand Transportation Center will ultimately provide the cornerstone for the continued economic redevelopment of Camden, one of South Jersey’s most important assets,"” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.
“With Governor Murphy’s significant investment commitment for this vital South Jersey transportation hub, NJ Transit is pleased to advance the Walter Rand Transportation Center Replacement Project,” added NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “This important capital project will modernize this facility to enhance the customer experience for NJ Transit commuters, and provide improved connectivity to Camden’s growing healthcare, education and employment sectors.”
Additionally, the concept and design will seek to allow accommodations for future transit developments in Camden and explore the potential for new retail, office, housing and hospitality opportunities to foster mixed-use development and support the investments being made in this vibrant community, utilizing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) design standards.
The WRTC, constructed in 1989 and owned by NJ Transit, is the largest transportation hub in the city of Camden. In its role as a regional transportation hub, it currently serves 26 NJ Transit bus lines, the NJ Transit River Line light rail, connectivity to the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) Speedline subway, Greyhound bus services and a stop for the South Jersey Transportation Authority’s (SJTA) shuttle. The WRTC also contains administrative offices and 450 parking spaces.
The new center will better accommodate the NJ Transit bus lines that serve the facility; provide improved intermodal connectivity with the PATCO Speedline subway and River LINE light rail; support intercity independent bus services; and provide additional parking, administrative offices and value capture retail opportunities to the adjacent growing educational and healthcare corridor. It would also provide an opportunity for integration with zero-emissions buses.
NJ Transit recently completed nearly $2.8 million in repairs to the five-story parking deck attached to the WRTC. The improvements include new electrical upgrades, lighting and concrete repairs needed to help facilitate future construction at the WRTC.
