6 replies to this topic

[SouthJersey7]

Here's a thread for all transportation news and developments in the Garden State. Be it rail, road, air, sea or otherwise. Events taking place, new projects and developments in existing projects can be discussed here.

[SouthJersey7]

Quote

Station project moving along

TRENTON --Travelers passing through the Trenton Train Station have grown accustomed to the web of steel beams and temporary wooden ramps, the steady drone of construction...
... Two new tenants -- a pizzeria and a newsstand -- have been awarded leases in the revamped station. But the largest retail space, which NJ Transit hopes to fill with a traditional, sit-down restaurant, remains available.

Construction on the $76 million rehabilitation project began in late 2005 and should be completed in early 2008, said NJ Transit spokesman Dan Stessel...

...Besides the new retail locations, two new restrooms will be added in the Trenton station -- in addition to the two currently in the building -- and a new mezzanine level will be constructed to provide office space for NJ Transit. All the retail spaces will be located on the first floor, said Stessel...

... About 6,000 travelers pass through the Trenton station every day. The station was built in 1891 and last renovated in 1972.

It's owned and operated by NJ Transit but also is used by Amtrak. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) provides service between the Trenton Train Station and Philadelphia.

Once people see the "magnificent structure" of the finished station, Palmer believes businesses will clamor for any unfilled retail spaces.

"It's going to be fitting of a capital city," the mayor said.

http://www.nj.com/ne...a...&thispage=1

Anyone having been to Trenton's rail station can see the need for this. I myself have been there many times taking NJTransit's NEC line to New York. It's sort of a dismal place. It is well positioned though, being on the convergence of the NJTransit/Amtrak NEC, SEPTA, and the River LINE.

[tombarnes]

$76m seems like quite quite a bit of money for a transit station/complex.  What amenities will this offer?

[SouthJersey7]

tombarnes, on Mar 28 2007, 11:19 PM, said:

$76m seems like quite quite a bit of money for a transit station/complex.  What amenities will this offer?

Well, as mentioned there are a few new businesses and they're trying to attract a more upscale restaurant. This is all part of a push to make the railway station and the area around it, safer and more hospitable. See, Trenton station is used mostly by 2 groups: 1) commuters from points south arriving on SEPTA or River LINE or arriving by car or bus to use NJTransit's NEC line to go to NYC. 2) local commuters transferring from one bus to another. The first group is far more numerous however, and NJTransit is trying to expand it. Trenton station is a pretty important link in NJTransit's "chain", so that's why it's such a big deal. But you are right, it is quite a bit of $$$. Hopefully they will allow for the planned future expansions, specifically River LINE north to West Trenton.

[SouthJersey7]

Trolley pricetag jumps $15M

Quote

The reality of Bayonne's Peninsula Railway is still a work in progress - as is finding the cash for it.

The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority remains committed to installing a streetcar system to service the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor - the former Military Ocean Terminal now being converted to a mini-city - but the projected price tag has jumped from $35 to $50 million.

I wasn't even aware of this project until recently! I'm always glad to hear about new rail projects, no matter how small. It would be yet another piece in the growing North Jersey light rail network (which, by the way used to be HUGE at one time) and great news for the new development in Bayonne. Still, I have to say, this thing is running kind of pricy. I hope they can keep it under control. More here:

http://www.nj.com/ne...n....xml&coll=3

[Cotuit]

I just asked the person heading up the Transit 2020 project here in RI if they've looked at Jersey. It's amazing what Jersey has done in the last decade or so.

[lammius]

SouthJersey7, on Mar 29 2007, 10:34 PM, said:

Trolley pricetag jumps $15M



I wasn't even aware of this project until recently! I'm always glad to hear about new rail projects, no matter how small. It would be yet another piece in the growing North Jersey light rail network (which, by the way used to be HUGE at one time) and great news for the new development in Bayonne. Still, I have to say, this thing is running kind of pricy. I hope they can keep it under control. More here:

http://www.nj.com/ne...n....xml&coll=3

I work for one of the consultant firms involved in this project.  The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor project is enormous!  It will take 20-30 years to build out all of the residential, retail, and supporting infrastructure.  I'm surprised the article mentioned almost as an afterthought that the streetcar line is intended to connect the development out on the Peninsula with the 34th Street Light Rail station.