Newark City Subway Extension

Rank #7
Cost: $225 million

The first major work to extend the Newark City subway line was started by New Jersey Transit.

The $225 million project will extend the subway between Newark Penn and Newark Broad Street and connect six commuter rail lines with downtown Newark. The improved access is aimed at increasing office, housing and retail development in downtown Newark.

The extension will connect the Morristown Line, the Gladstone Branch and the Montclair-Boonton Line with the Northeast Corridor, Raritan Valley Line and North Jersey Coast Line.

To merge with the existing subway system, an 850-ft. tunnel will originate at Newark Penn Station beneath Raymond Boulevard and operate under Mulberry Street before surfacing at Center Street near the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. At street level, the extension will feature 11 grade crossings and several new stations, including Broad Street Station, Washington Park near the Newark Museum, Atlantic Street and Center Street/N.J. Performing Arts Center and an extra stop for events at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

The tunnel construction includes a two-track tunnel structure, ancillary subgrade support structures and an electric substation for systems power. The project also includes:

• new 70 percent low-floor light rail vehicles
  
• installation of new signaling and communications systems
  
• installation of fans and dampers along existing ventilation shafts
  
• conversion of the existing trolley wire system to a catenary system to operate the new pantograph equipped vehicles
  
• accessibility improvements at Branch Brook Park, Washington Street and Newark Penn Stations to increase the platform height to 14 inches above the top of the rail to accommodate level boarding into the new low-floor cars and installation of elevators and ramps at underground and below-grade stations
  

Back to list >>