IRVINGTON BUS TERMINAL TO GET FACELIFT

Wider Bus Lanes, Redesigned Waiting Area, Enhanced Parking and Improved Pedestrian Links are Designated for Aging Facility

Irvington, NJ, October 16, 2003 -- Irvington Bus Terminal is getting a facelift. With shovels in hand, NJ TRANSIT Executive Director George D. Warrington and Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, broke ground today to what will be major enhancements to the terminal.

The terminal – built in the mid-1940s – will be expanded and reconfigured to accommodate the 12,500 customers who use the terminal on a daily basis. The project is estimated to cost $4.5 million and includes replacing the existing passenger terminal with a larger building, constructing wider bus lanes, enhancing an existing parking lot adjacent to the terminal, improving pedestrian links and renovating an off-site parking garage. Construction is expected to begin in November and be completed late next year.

"Mass transportation is the ticket to reducing traffic and stopping sprawl," said Governor James E. McGreevey. "By making our buses and trains a more attractive option, fewer cars will be on the road, and we will improve the quality of life of New Jersey's families. Revamping the Irvington Bus Terminal with new signs, bus lanes and a larger building will ensure that the terminal can continue to serve its 12,500 daily commuters, but also increased ridership in the future."

“The renovation of this terminal is a prime example of what happens when two state agencies – NJ TRANSIT and the New Jersey Highway Authority – and Irvington work together to bring about positive change,” said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and State Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere. “With the support of Irvington, the Corporation entered into an agreement to use land owned by the Highway Authority, which allows NJ TRANSIT to move forward with much needed renovations to the Irvington Bus Terminal.”

“As a major facility, the Irvington Bus Terminal lacks the proper customer amenities, such as signage and bus circulation areas to make it more commuter friendly,” Warrington said. “With its close proximity to local highways, businesses and access to major entertainment attractions, this terminal is a major passenger facility in the NJ TRANSIT system. ”

“We are proud to move forward on what promises to be a catalyst for the revitalization of Irvington,” Mayor Smith said. “This modern facility will encourage upscale business development, the benefits of which will resonate throughout the township. This investment in Irvington illustrates the firm commitment by the State and NJ TRANSIT to the growth and progress of our community. We look forward to the day in the near future when we celebrate the dedication of the new Irvington Bus Terminal.”

A short-term parking lot adjacent to the bus terminal will be redesigned to maximize usage by closing the entrances/exits to Clinton and Springfield avenues. These closings will improve traffic flow and allow NJ TRANSIT buses to safely access Springfield and Clinton avenues. The Corporation will also enhance features on a 400-space municipal parking deck on Nye Avenue near the terminal.

In addition, NJ TRANSIT will use a federal grant for $515,000 to make pedestrian improvements at the terminal and surrounding area. Grant money will be used for brick paving, signage and other amenities designed to increase safety and to provide an enhanced pedestrian link for passengers accessing the terminal from the city’s Nye Avenue municipal parking deck.

The Irvington Bus Terminal is one of NJ TRANSIT’s higher volume bus terminals. Eight bus routes, which include interstate and intrastate buses, use the terminal daily with 451 weekday bus arrivals, and 444 weekday bus departures.

Bus routes include:

· 13 Broad to Irvington, Newark, Belleville, Nutley Clifton

· 26 Irvington - Elizabeth to Irvington, Hillside, Union, Elizabeth

· 27 Mt. Prospect to Irvington, Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield (limited to Nutley and Clifton)

· 37 Lyons Avenue to Irvington, Newark, Newark Airport

· 42 18th Avenue to Irvington, Newark

· 90 Grove Street Cross-town to Irvington, Newark, East Orange, Bloomfield, Belleville

· 107 South Orange - New York to Irvington, Newark, South Orange, New York – Port Authority Bus Terminal

· 979 Irvington - Raritan Center to Raritan Center in Edison/Woodbridge

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 752,600 daily trips on 240 bus routes, two light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 162 rail stations, 28 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.