Background
Woodbridge Township is in Middlesex County, and is the fifth largest municipality in New Jersey. This North Jersey Coast Line station is one of three serving NJ TRANSIT customers in town (the others being Avenel and Metropark in the Iselin section). The Pennsylvania and Central Jersey Railroads constructed the existing platform in the 1930s as a WPA grade-crossing elimination project. Interim improvements have been made on occasion, including the restoration of the passenger elevator at Woodbridge in 1999. But over the years, this station has experienced deterioration to its concrete platform. Annual inspections have revealed that age, water infiltration and salts have deteriorated the platform slab to a condition where replacement is recommended. This station accommodates well over 1,600 commuters daily. This is the second highest classification for passenger trips.

Project Scope
The scope of this project will include reconstruction of the 800 foot long, curved center island high-level platform. It will include new platform waiting shelters with translucent widescreens and heaters; and rebuilt stairs to the street level. The existing ticket office, waiting room, and restroom will be demolished and not replaced. The existing passenger elevator will be retained.

At the Pearl Street entrance, modifications will be made to the street-level retail space. It will include new wheelchair-accessible restrooms for the public. The east retaining wall facing Parker Press Park will be repainted. Additionally, the project will include new and enhanced signage, benches, passenger information display boards, and waste receptacles.

Project Cost
$23.4 million (estimate)

Current Status
Demolition of the northern half of the platform is ongoing.

Next Milestone
Construction will be completed in the spring of 2007.

Benefits
By rebuilding this high-level platform, NJ TRANSIT will provide passengers with a new, code-compliant platform that meets all current guidelines and standards. The overall passenger experience would be enhanced with new shelters and restrooms.

NJ TRANSIT Department of Capital Planning and Programs
January 2006