NJ TRANSIT SET TO IMPROVE HISTORIC RUTHERFORD STATION

First phase of project will restore the station exterior

May 14, 2008
NJT-08-037

NEWARK, NJ ¿ The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today authorized work that will allow for the exterior restoration of the historic Rutherford Station on the Bergen County Line, kicking off the first phase of a two-phase project.

"NJ TRANSIT¿s work on the exterior of this historic station will pave the way for the interior improvements that are currently in design," said U.S. Congressman Steven Rothman. "We are not only restoring the building's century-old elegance, but also making all of Rutherford Train Station useful again and preventing even costlier repairs down the road. Furthermore, when this first phase is completed, NJ TRANSIT will be able to use the $2 million I secured from the federal government toward implementing phase two."

"The Rutherford Train Station is a significant piece of the Borough¿s history and a beloved focal point of our community," said Rutherford Mayor John F. Hipp. "We look forward to the completion of this work to restore and preserve the station¿s exterior, and we thank Congressman Rothman for securing the funding that will allow for the interior restoration as well."

"These improvements demonstrate both the Borough¿s and NJ TRANSIT¿s commitment to preserving the State¿s historic assets," said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Kris Kolluri. "With the federal funds secured by Congressman Rothman, we are also moving forward with plans for interior restoration work."

"We greatly appreciate Congressman Rothman¿s ongoing support of NJ TRANSIT, and we are gratified that he was able to secure funding that will allow us to move forward with the second phase of the Rutherford Station restoration," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.

The Board awarded a $1.4 million contract to DMR Construction Services Inc., of Waldwick, NJ torestore the original exterior condition of the historic station structure. Listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, Rutherford Station was constructed in 1898 and serves approximately 940 customers on a typical weekday.

The project will include 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.

Construction on the project will begin this summer, with completion expected in 2009. A second phase of the project funded entirely with a $1.9 million federal earmark will allow for the restoration of the station¿s interior in accordance with historical guidelines.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing nearly 865,000 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.