Gov. Phil Murphy traveled to New Brunswick on Sept. 23 to highlight a planned $49 million renovation of the New Brunswick train station, which comes as part of an $814 million allocation in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget for rail station improvements. — Courtesy: Edwin J. Torres/ Governor’s Office
By Joshua Burd
The New Brunswick train station is a getting a nearly $50 million upgrade, thanks to an infusion of state funds detailed Friday by Gov. Phil Murphy and other officials.
According to the state, the investment will help extend and replace passenger platforms, rehabilitate escalators and elevators and install energy-efficient lighting at the NJ Transit facility and Northeast Corridor hub. The $49 million renovation plan also calls for upgrading heating and air conditioning systems, along with other internal and external work, as part of an $814 million allocation in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget for rail station improvements.
“Our fiscally responsible and forward-looking investments will further solidify the city’s reputation as a pivotal crossroads, not just as a geographic center point in the heart of New Jersey, but as a place where residents, students, medical professionals and internationally renowned companies continue to congregate for generations to come,” Murphy said. “Officials at all levels of New Jersey government are working in lockstep to help the Hub City achieve its full potential as an economic powerhouse and destination. Just as importantly, our efforts are expanding access to affordable and attractive public transportation alternatives for all New Jerseyans, regardless of income or ZIP code.”
The announcement comes amid several high-profile development projects that are under construction just steps from the train station, including the 12-story, 510,000-square-foot Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center and the two-building, 555,000-square-foot research complex known as the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub. The projects, which are being spearheaded by the New Brunswick Development Corp., or Devco, equate to more than $1 billion in combined investment.
“Modernization of the New Brunswick Train Station will energize the transformative development taking place directly adjacent to the Northeast Corridor, making the NJ Innovation HUB and Rutgers Cancer Institute accessible to researchers, patients, employees and visitors from Boston to Washington D.C.,” said Christopher Paladino, Devco’s president.
The Middlesex County Improvement Authority will project manage the renovations of the station on behalf of the county and NJ Transit, inclusive of design and construction, according to the state’s announcement. NJ Transit will provide technical assistance, procure and manage an engineering and design firm, retain construction services and have review and approval rights throughout the project.
MCIA is currently in the process of preparing the scope for the project, which will focus on enhancements to the station and customer experience.
“This train station is a daily reminder of our long and rich history as a transit hub,” New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill said. “These upgrades being announced today will ensure that New Brunswick will continue to be recognized as a critical component in statewide and regional transportation and will serve as the perfect complement to our world-class facilities like the Jack and Cheryl Morris Cancer Pavilion and the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub.”
Murphy, industry leaders break ground on 550,000 sq. ft. research campus in New Brunswick
