Gov. Christie, port authority officials visit PATH station construction site

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie joined Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Port Authority (PANYNJ) officials late last week to mark progress on the construction of a new $256 million PATH station in Harrison, N.J.

Slated for completion in 2017, the rail station will accommodate the area's growing residential and commercial ridership needs, and serve as a gateway to Red Bull Arena, PANYNJ officials said in a press release.

The station also will allow for increased travel on the entire Newark-World Trade Center PATH line with the addition of longer platforms that can accommodate 10-car trains instead of the current eight-car limit, they said.

The glass-and-steel transit facility, which replaces a Depression-era station, is part of the city of Harrison's ongoing renaissance project.

"This much-needed PATH project represents another positive step in making Harrison a vibrant, mixed-use commuter transit hub while spurring community revitalization, job creation and business investment in Harrison and the region," Christie said.

Modernizing the 105-year-old PATH rail system between New Jersey and New York has been a priority in recent years, and replacing the Harrison station "is a cornerstone of our efforts," said PANYNJ Chairman David Samson.