The NJ Transit Board of Directors approves contracts for $213,033,020 worth of upgrades at Hoboken Terminal, as part of Phase 2 of the Long Slip Fill and Rail Enhancement Project, at yesterday’s meeting.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The board approved a $211,134,822 contract, plus 10 percent contingencies, with Schiavone Construction Co., LLC, of Secaucus, for the construction of six new tracks, three ADA-accessible high-level platforms, and a new passenger/rail personnel facility.
A separate $1,898,198 contract, with 5% percent contingencies, with Voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, LLC of Birmingham, Alabama, for the purchase of Special Trackwork was okayed for special track work to be done as part of the ongoing project.
“The approval of Phase 2 for this project marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to significantly improve resiliency, accessibility and the customer experience at Hoboken Terminal,” NJ Transit President & CEO Kevin Corbett said in a statement.
“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.”
The Long Slip Fill and Rail Enhancement Project area is located within the Hoboken Rail Yard along the Hudson River Waterfront near the boundary of southern Hoboken and northeastern Jersey City.
NJ Transit was awarded a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) competitive resiliency grant for the project to provide flood protection, surge protection for rail yard equipment and infrastructure, and flood resilient commuter tracks and platforms.
The Long Slip project will mean future storms will do far less damage than Superstorm Sandy, which wreaked havoc on the entire northeastern region, including Hoboken.
It also provides the opportunity to construct new ADA-accessible rail platforms well above surge levels that adds greater capacity at Hoboken Terminal, and further ensures the integrity of the transportation network following extreme weather events.
Phase 1 of the project – completed in June 2023 – extended the municipal sewer that permitted the former canal to be filled in.
Phase 2 calls for the construction of new tracks, a new station area with ADA-accessible high-level boarding platforms, and a new passenger/rail personnel facility on what was the former waterway.
The project is part of NJ Transit’s Resilience Program. The new tracks and platforms, with higher elevation, will better protect the terminal and improve NJ TRANSIT’s ability to continue operating rail service through extreme weather events.
In January, the legislators of the 32nd Legislative District applauded NJ Transit for allocating $88 million towards the Long Slip Fill and Rail Enhancement Project.
