Improvements Will Benefit Customers and Enhance Overall Travel Experience

NEW BRUNSWICK – Governor Phil Murphy, Amtrak Board Chairman Tony Coscia, and NJ TRANSIT CEO Kevin Corbett today announced the kickoff of fall 2019 construction work at four New Jersey train stations. These projects – a result of a reinvigorated relationship between NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak – demonstrate a joint commitment to improving the customer and travel experience throughout the state. Customers can expect to see improvements at New Brunswick, Trenton Transit Center, Princeton Junction, and Elizabeth Stations. 

“A modern, safe, and reliable mass transit system is the foundation our state needs to grow our economy and reclaim our historic role as the state of innovation,” said Governor Murphy. “The most forward-thinking organizations want to locate where both infrastructure and accessibility to capital markets and consumers are strong. These improvements announced today can help propel New Jersey to the top of any business leader’s list. The growing collaboration between Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT is a win-win for our commuters and our economic future.” 

“Amtrak, Governor Murphy, and NJ TRANSIT are working together to keep our promises to the traveling public and provide an improved customer experience throughout New Jersey,” said Tony Coscia, Amtrak Chairman of the Board. “The start of these station projects reflects our joint commitment to our customers to improve our stations, infrastructure, and the safety of our customers.”

“Before I joined NJ TRANSIT in February 2018, NJ TRANSIT’s relationship with Amtrak was fractured, to say the least. I'm pleased to report that today our partnership with Amtrak is stronger than ever,” said NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kevin Corbett. “With Governor Murphy’s support, we are proud to finalize a new agreement with Amtrak that has not only resulted in projects along the Northeast Corridor advancing far more smoothly, but ensures that Amtrak is investing those dollars in New Jersey infrastructure improvements to benefit NJ TRANSIT customers.”

The work is set to take place throughout fall 2019 and early 2020. Specifics of the projects at each station include the following:

• New Brunswick Station – Improvements to the elevator system; an extension of the eastbound platform for extra boarding capacity; significant rehabilitation of the station’s exterior brick façade; installation of new lighting, windows, HVAC system, and escalator; and a paint refresh.
• Elizabeth Station – Upgrades include the addition of two new elevators; updating the existing two elevators; the addition of ADA-complaint ramps; and building new high-level platforms, which will also increase the platform area for passengers.
• Trenton Transit Center – Replacement of damaged timber boards that are located past the yellow warning strip on the platform to improve customer safety. 
• Princeton Junction Station – General platform repairs to improve customer safety, including the refresh of platforms that have deteriorated for decades from exposure to weather and de-icing agents. This includes reinforcing the platform supports, patching concrete, repainting the yellow warning strip, and general repair of the stairs and handrails.

In February 2019, Governor Murphy, Amtrak, and NJ TRANSIT announced their “Power in Partnership” campaign at an event at New York Penn Station, showcasing a joint commitment to improving the customer experience of the traveling public. At the event, Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT also announced they came to a financial settlement that will reinvest all of the funds that came from this and other agreements into existing and future joint Northeast Corridor infrastructure projects that benefit both Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT, as well as the safety and travel experience of their customers. One joint project is the Portal Bridge, as both organizations highlighted that they are ready to begin full construction on Portal North as soon as federal funding is secured.