NJ Transit wants feedback on its Newark Penn Station revitalization project
Photo of Newark Penn Station by King of Hearts on Wikimedia
Newark Penn Station is set to undergo a major renovation and NJ Transit wants feedback from riders who travel through the historic terminal. The transit agency will host three virtual public meetings about the $191 million restoration, with the first scheduled for August 9. First introduced by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2020, the project includes immediate aesthetic improvements and refurbishment of historic elements, as well as longer-term upgrades to the overall customer experience.
Opened in 1935, Newark Penn Station was designed by McKim, Mead & White–the firm behind New York City’s original Penn Station–and boasts Art Deco and Neo-Classical features. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The iconic 87-year-old station is the seventh busiest rail station in North America. Home to NJ Transit commuter trains, Newark Light Rail, PATH, Amtrak, and the city’s buses, the station sees 50,000 transit customers daily.
Gov. Phil Murphy in 2020 announced plans for a major renovation of the station. As NJ.com reported, work has already begun on the first phase of the renovation, which includes the restoration of benches in the waiting area, installation of better lighting, updating of bathrooms, fresh paint and tiling, and cleaning of the building’s limestone facade.
The project includes new lighting and better drainage in the station’s bus lanes, as well as improved signage and directories to help riders navigate platforms and hallways.
During the virtual meetings, NJ Transit officials will share an overview of the project and lay out its goals and objectives. The general public is encouraged to participate and share their concerns and questions while learning more about the project. Transit officials want to ensure that the project addressed the current and future needs of riders, and the broader Newark community.
Newark Penn Station is one of the three major New Jersey transit terminals that are undergoing major renovations funded by the state’s fiscal year 2023 budget.
The first public meeting on the modernization plan takes place virtually via Zoom on August 9 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. A second meeting will be held in the fall, followed by a final meeting next spring. Get more details on the plan and register for the meetings here.
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