Newark’s Penn Station is getting $18 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to rehabilitate Platform D for Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT trains.
The existing platform is in poor condition, with portions closed to passenger access, the agency stated in a news release. The project includes repairing and/or replacing Platform D slabs and joints, reconstructing platform edges, installing new tactile strips and timber rub rails, repairing the overhead canopy and upgrading lighting.
“The platform restoration will improve passenger movement and safety by reducing congestion points where passengers board and alight, and may enable reduced dwell times for trains using the restored and reopened sections of the platform,” FRA said. Amtrak joined with NJ TRANSIT as co-applicant, meeting the statutory preference for applications submitted by multiple eligible applicants.
The grant is one of 10 “State of Good Repair” grants announced last week. In all, the department is providing $272 million in grants.
“This funding will make a significant contribution to freight and passenger rail-related capital projects in our communities, help our nation’s rail infrastructure to be brought into a state of good repair and ultimately make a big difference in people’s lives,” said FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory.
