WOOD-RIDGE TO GAIN NEW TRAIN STATION ON BERGEN COUNTY LINE

NJ TRANSIT and private developer to share cost of Wesmont Station

June 11, 2008
NJT-08-043

NEWARK, NJ ¿ The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today authorized an agreement that will provide a new train station for residents of Wood-Ridge in Bergen County, part of a plan to transform a former industrial site into a transit-friendly, mixed-use neighborhood.

"This project builds on the principles of transit-oriented development by converting an existing brownfield into a thriving community," said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Kris Kolluri.

The agreement between NJ TRANSIT and Wood-Ridge Development LLC, of Lakewood, NJ, will share the cost for design and construction of a new train station and parking facility on the Bergen County Line in the Borough of Wood-Ridge, on the site of the former Curtiss-Wright industrial plant. The train station will be known as Wesmont Station.

As part of the plan, NJ TRANSIT will realize $37 million in improvements including a new infrastructure maintenance facility.

"The new Wesmont Station and transit-oriented development will transform what is now an underutilized property in the Borough into a new, productive neighborhood with convenient access to rail service," said State Senator and Wood-Ridge Mayor Paul Sarlo.

"This is a win-win for NJ TRANSIT and the community," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. "With more demands on our system, this plan will help us to better maintain our infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable service for the thousands of customers who use the Bergen County Line each day."

The Borough previously approved plans for redevelopment of the 78-acre property and selected Wood-Ridge Development LLC as the master developer. NJ TRANSIT has worked closely with the Borough and the developer on a plan that will provide a new, fully accessible rail station and parking facility to serve a transit-oriented, mixed-use community.

Construction of the new rail station is expected to begin in 2009, with completion in 2011.

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.