NJ TRANSIT BOARD APPROVES HAZLET STATION RENOVATIONS

High-Level Platforms, Extra Parking Spaces Among Improvements

NEWARK, NJ, October 10, 2001 -- NJ TRANSIT's Board of Directors has voted to award a $6 million contract to George Harms Construction Co. of Howell to complete station and parking improvements at Hazlet Rail Station.

Harms Construction will build new passenger amenities -- including high-level platforms and canopies -- and expand parking at the station, which is located on the North Jersey Coast Line and serves approximately 1,100 passengers each weekday.

"Recent events have underscored the importance of mass transportation to our state," said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and State Transportation Commissioner James Weinstein. "The Hazlet Station project is another example of Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco's continued commitment to helping New Jersey’s commuters and the regional economy."

"Hazlet Station is among the busiest rail facilities on the North Jersey Coast Line," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Jeffrey A. Warsh. "These station improvements will provide greater access to parking and easier boarding and exiting of trains."

The project includes two 800-foot high-level platforms, which will speed boarding and exiting of trains. The new platforms will be fully accessible to persons with disabilities and will include canopies, heated shelters, windscreens and other passenger amenities.

As part of the construction, both parking lots at Hazlet Station will be improved. The Long Branch/Bay Head-bound parking lot will be upgraded while the Newark/New York-bound lot will be refurbished and expanded to provide 45 additional parking spaces and improve traffic flow around the station area. Finally, new station signs will be installed.

The Hazlet Station project is scheduled for completion in winter 2002 and is funded by the Federal Transit Administration, the state Transportation Trust Fund and New Jersey Casino Revenue funds.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing bus, rail and light rail services for 383,900 daily commuters on 240 bus routes, two light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 162 rail stations, 26 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

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