NJ TRANSIT BEGINS RECONSTRUCTION OF SOMERVILLE STATION
Project to create 165 jobs
March 27, 2009
NJT-09-033
SOMERVILLE, NJ — NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles was joined by Somerville Mayor Brian Gallagher and other elected officials today at Somerville Station on the Raritan Valley Line to break ground for major station improvements.
The project will make the station fully accessible for customers with disabilities and fulfills a NJ TRANSIT commitment to retrofit 35 key rail stations statewide with accessibility features. When construction is finished on the final two of the 35 key stations, 130 NJ TRANSIT rail and light rail stations will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“This project demonstrates NJ TRANSIT’s unwavering and ongoing commitment to improve access to public transportation for all New Jersey residents,” said NJ TRANSIT Chairman and Transportation Commissioner Stephen Dilts. “And it helps stimulate the economy by creating about 165 jobs during construction.”
“Rebuilding this station into a modern, convenient facility not only generates jobs and provides access to those with disabilities, but it also creates an asset that the Borough of Somerville can use to promote long-term economic development,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.
“I support investments in public transportation because transit provides mobility to the workforce and benefits the environment, but this project offers an immeasurable, additional benefit to residents with disabilities by rebuilding the station in a way that gives them access to the train service here in Somerville,” said state Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman.
"This project and investment in Somerville reconfirms the commitment to the borough and its redevelopment plans by NJ TRANSIT,” said Somerville Mayor Brian G. Gallagher. “These improvements are wonderful news for our residents and commuters who use the station every day and also provide a great benefit for those who have the need for these accessibility improvements. As we move forward with our Landfill and Station Area redevelopment, we look forward to continuing our relationship with
NJ TRANSIT to improve the station area as well as downtown Somerville, and to provide convenient access to train service for the region."
The project includes two new high-level platforms that eliminate the need for stairs to board trains. The platforms will be at the same level as train doors. In addition, two service elevators will be adapted for customer use, providing access between the pedestrian tunnel, street level and platform level.
The new 710-foot-long platforms will be equipped with canopies and heated shelters, and a new climate-controlled waiting room and ticket office with public restrooms will be built on the “inbound” side of the station. Other improvements include a new pedestrian tunnel headhouse, new ramps and stairs, new electronic signage and renovations to the pedestrian tunnel, the South Bridge Street stairs and to the existing elevator shafts. Security cameras and Ticket Vending Machines will also be installed.
Somerville Station provides about 1,500 customer trips each weekday.
Terminal Construction Co. of Wood-Ridge, NJ was awarded a $15.3 million construction contract by the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors earlier this month. The project is expected to create 165 jobs during construction and is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.