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NJ TRANSIT NJ TRANSIT

CONTRACT AWARDED FOR SOMERVILLE STATION IMPROVEMENTS

Project completes list of accessibility upgrades at 35 key stations

March 11, 2009
NJT-09-024

NEWARK, NJ — Reconstruction of the Raritan Valley Line’s Somerville Station, including high-level platforms to provide full accessibility, will start this spring under a construction contract awarded today by the
NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors.

 

“Following Governor Corzine’s direction to accelerate projects, this pumps millions of dollars into the economy immediately, creating jobs through the construction of a lasting asset that will benefit our customers far into the future,” said NJ TRANSIT Chairman and Transportation Commissioner Stephen Dilts.

 

“The project represents an ongoing commitment by NJ TRANSIT to improve access for all residents of New Jersey and will complete our initiative to make ADA upgrades at 35 key commuter rail stations,” said
NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.

 

All new stations are fully accessible.

 

“The Borough has worked closely with NJ TRANSIT on this project, and NJ TRANSIT has been very responsive to Borough input and suggestions,” said Borough of Somerville Mayor Brian G. Gallagher.  “We welcome this significant investment and look forward to our continued partnership with NJ TRANSIT for the redevelopment of NJ TRANSIT land adjoining Somerville Station, which is a core portion of the overall Landfill & Station Area redevelopment project.”

 

Accessibility upgrades for the 35 key stations have been completed at all but Ridgewood and Somerville stations, with improvements at Ridgewood under way.  In addition, 54 light rail stations are accessible, including 11 Newark Light Rail stations, all 20 River LINE stations and all 23 Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line stations.

 

The Somerville project includes numerous elements that will benefit all customers including construction of two new 710-foot-long high-level platforms with canopies, two new elevator cabs, a climate-controlled inbound waiting room with a ticket agent office and restrooms, heated platform shelters, ramps, stairs and a head house for the pedestrian tunnel entrance.

 

In addition, the existing elevator shafts will be rehabilitated, as will the pedestrian tunnel, tunnel stairs and exterior stairs to South Bridge Street.  Security cameras, two new Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) and LCD and LED signs will also be installed.

 

Somerville Station provides about 1,500 customer trips each weekday.

 

Terminal Construction Co. of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey was awarded a $15.3 million contract through a competitive bid process. The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

 

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.