NJ Transit slates rail improvements, expansion in FY19

New Jersey Transit's board yesterday adopted a $1.46 billion capital program for fiscal-year 2019 that includes projects to improve and expand its rail system.

The program allocates funds for state-of-good-repair work on transit stations and infrastructure, positive train control installation and other safety initiatives, NJ Transit officials said in a press release.

The budget sets aside $23 million for the agency's ongoing PTC installation. About $291 million will go toward rail infrastructure improvements, including $17 million for bridges, $3 million for a drawbridge replacement design, and $14 million for the Portal Bridge North project.

Also, $30 million has been budgeted for rail station improvements and $34 million for the Hudson-Bergen light-rail system's Northern Branch expansion.

Moreover, the capital program includes money for investments in the Northeast Corridor, system expansion and support for local mobility programs.

Meanwhile, the board adopted a $2.32 billion FY19 operating budget with no fare increases.

More than half of the operating budget will go toward costs associated with labor and fringe benefits. The budget also allows for the expansion of personnel in key areas within bus, rail, light rail, police operations and strategic administrative support services, according to the agency.

These positions include training instructors, trainmasters, road foremen, regional supervisors, engineers and conductors.

More than 40 percent of the operating budget revenue comes from passenger fares, with the remainder covered by state and federal sources.