NJ TRANSIT SET TO FULLY RESTORE HISTORIC RUTHERFORD STATION
Officials celebrate completion of exterior improvements, announce start of interior work
June 22, 2009
NJT-09-061
NEWARK, NJ — U.S. Representative Steven R. Rothman and NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles joined Rutherford Mayor John F. Hipp today at the historic Rutherford Station on the Bergen County Line to mark the completion of exterior renovations and announce the start of interior restoration work that will preserve the building as both a transit facility and community landmark.
"I am pleased to have delivered federal funding to the people of Rutherford to make this project possible and maintain the integrity and history of the train station,” Congressman Rothman said. “We have not only restored the building's century-old elegance, but we have also made it useful again, preventing even costlier repairs down the road."
NJ TRANSIT kicked off the first phase of the two-phase project in May 2008, with the Board of Directors awarding a $1.4 million contract to DMR Construction Services Inc., of Waldwick, NJ, to restore the original exterior of the historic station.
In May 2009, the Board authorized a $988,000 contract with Collette Contracting, Inc., of Rutherford, for construction work on the second phase of the project—expected to be completed in spring 2010—to refurbish the interior of the station.
“The exterior improvements to Rutherford Station have helped to restore and preserve one of New Jersey’s historic assets, while ensuring the useful life of the station for residents and riders,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Stephen Dilts. “With the federal funds secured by Congressman Rothman, we are now starting on the interior work that will result in a fully restored Rutherford Station.”
“The restoration of Rutherford Station demonstrates our commitment to maintaining safe and comfortable transit facilities for our customers,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. “We greatly appreciate Congressman Rothman’s ongoing support of NJ TRANSIT, and we are gratified that he was able to secure the funding that has allowed us to begin the second phase of this restoration project,” said Sarles.
“The Rutherford Train Station is a significant piece of the Borough’s history and a beloved focal point of our community,” said Mayor Hipp. “We are pleased that the work to preserve the station’s exterior has been completed, and we thank Congressman Rothman for securing the funding that is allowing for the interior restoration as well.”
The recently completed exterior work included design and restoration of masonry; thorough cleaning of brick, sandstone, limestone and bluestone; restoration of the copper-clad window enclosure; and repair and replacement of window sills, doors, exterior columns and soffits.
Interior work is being funded entirely with $1.9 million in federal funding secured by Congressman Rothman, and will include restoration of the main station building’s ceiling and floors, windows, doors, wood benches, plaster surfaces, and wood frames and moldings, as well as the replacement of exterior windows and doors in the taxi stand building.
Listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, Rutherford Station was constructed in 1898 and serves approximately 1,030 customers on a typical weekday.
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.