NJ Transit advances ambitious projects at Hoboken Terminal

New Jersey Transit’s board recently approved a $211.1 million contract with Schiavone Construction Co. LLC for the construction of six new tracks, three high-level platforms and a new passenger-rail personnel facility as part of the second phase of major resiliency upgrades at Hoboken Terminal.

The board also approved a separate $1.9 million contract with voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak LLC for 11 special trackwork packages that are included in the ongoing project. That work involves five wood timber turnouts, four concrete crosstie turnouts, one wood timber crossover and one wood timber double-slip switch.

One of the largest transportation hubs in the region, Hoboken Terminal is served by eight NJ Transit commuter-rail lines, the Hudson–Bergen light-rail line, Port Authority Trans-Hudson rapid transit system, bus routes and ferries.

NJ Transit obtained a Federal Transit Administration resiliency grant after Superstorm Sandy struck in late 2012 to create flood protections, gain surge protection for rail yard equipment and infrastructure, and build flood-resilient tracks and platforms. Phase 2 calls for constructing tracks, a new station area with ADA-accessible, high-level boarding platforms, and a new passenger/rail personnel facility on a former waterway.

"This vital project not only enhances the experience at one of the Tri-State region’s busiest intermodal transit hubs, but it supports our broader resiliency strategy by fortifying our network against the impacts of extreme weather events," said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett in a press release.

Meanwhile, NJ Transit's board also approved a ground lease agreement with LCOR Hoboken Rail Station Redevelopment LLC for the Hoboken Connect project, which is a mixed-use, multiphase transit-oriented development (TOD) near Hoboken Terminal. The multiphased initiative includes infrastructure improvements to the Hoboken Bus Terminal, Ferry Terminal Building and the area surrounding the rail station.

The agreement sets the stage for a groundbreaking to be held in the coming months, said Corbett, adding that the project will transform Hoboken Terminal and its surroundings into "one of the crown jewels of our system."

The TOD project includes a mixed-use residential building with 386 apartment homes, a 20-story office building with a rooftop terrace, retail space, and pedestrian, vehicular and bicycle infrastructure improvements.