PORT AUTHORITY BOARD AUTHORIZES REPLACEMENT OF PATH’S
HARRISON RAIL STATION
Date: Apr 04, 2012
Press Release Number: 45-2012
Estimated $256M project will create $344M in economic activity, more than 1,000 jobs,
and take two years less than expected to complete
A gleaming new glass-and-steel Harrison PATH rail station is now on track to replace the
currently deteriorating 76-year-old facility after Port Authority commissioners last week
authorized key steps to move the project forward.
The Board’s action to approve $256 million in project authorizations enables PATH
officials to award contracts for professional and advisory services to finalize the station’s
design, hire a construction manager and acquire outstanding properties. The construction
portion of the project is estimated at $153.8 million and this expedited process will shave
two years off the expected timeframe. The move will help meet the city’s growing
residential and commercial needs, as well as those related to Red Bulls Stadium.
The city of Harrison’s ongoing renaissance, led by Mayor Raymond McDonough means
significantly increased passenger use of the existing station, which was built in 1936 and
is unable to be refurbished to meet the city’s 21st century needs. The new station will
accommodate increased ridership at Harrison and eventually along the entire Newark-
World Trade Center PATH line, with the addition of longer platforms to accommodate
10-car trains instead of the current 8-car limit.
“The replacement of the aging PATH station at Harrison, along with the addition of 340
new rail cars, demonstrates the Board of Commissioners’ commitment to modernize the
PATH system for the 76 million riders who use it each year,” said Port Authority
Chairman David Samson. “The new station will be a centerpiece for Harrison’s
revitalization and create over a thousand jobs and $344 million in economic activity.”
“Trimming two years off the construction timeline will enable us to deliver this important
rail station in five years rather than seven,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat
Foye. “This exemplifies the Port Authority’s drive to regain its place as one of the
region’s most efficient economic engines by eliminating bureaucratic hurdles that will
enable projects to be built in a timelier fashion.”
“Mayor Raymond McDonough has made this project a key priority for Harrison and for
commuters across New Jersey,” said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill
Baroni. “The mayor’s leadership and tireless advocacy on behalf of modern and efficient
public transportation, together with our new leadership team, have enabled the project to
finally move forward after years of delay.”
“The Port Authority, under the leadership of Governors Chris Christie and Andrew
Cuomo, has finally given the green light to the modernization and revitalization of the
Harrison PATH station,” said Harrison Mayor Raymond McDonough. “This project will
provide numerous economic incentives not only to Harrison but to surrounding
communities in New Jersey for years to come.”
Last year, the Port Authority completed its three-year phase-in of 340 new rail cars, a
$744 million program that made PATH one of the nation’s newest fleets after years of
being one of the oldest. The $580 million computerized signal system will replace an
aging, mechanized system and allow PATH trains to run closer together while
maintaining safety requirements. Running trains more efficiently, combined with the 10-
car platforms on the Newark-WTC line, will allow PATH to increase future ridership by
more than 20 percent.
This is important given that the Red Bulls soccer has brought increased ridership to
Harrison’s PATH station over the past two years and various developers are now planning
significant residential and commercial construction projects within the city.
The Port Authority took over PATH from the bankrupt Hudson and Manhattan Railroad
in 1962. PATH set a record in its 50-year history in 2011 with 76.6 million passenger
trips, surpassing the previous 2008 record by 1.7 million trips.
Passengers took approximately 256,000 weekday trips and 211,000 weekend trips in
2011 on PATH, which comprises 43 miles of track and 13 stations in New Jersey and
New York. Last year, the Harrison station experienced the highest weekday growth of the
system’s stations, jumping 8.7 percent above 2010 levels.
Additionally, the Board approved a $71 million reauthorization to replace and upgrade
the PATH’s Christopher Street substation, which will maintain the facility that provides
electrical power to the uptown PATH system in a state-of-good-repair. Authorization
included a $31.8 million construction contract with Mass. Electric Construction Company
following a publicly advertised bid solicitation.
Link: http://www.panynj.gov/press-room/press-item.cfm?headLine_id=1556

As Mayor of this great town, I am excited and very pleased to inform you of some of the great things that are happening in our community!

Our town will be getting a facelift of our NJ Path Station, We have astounding growth in several key sectors of business and residential factors, and our town has managed to upgrade it’s rating on the lists of best places to live in NJ. There are many other important factors that contribute to the health of our town.

I would personally like to thank all of those involved in revitalizing our efforts to improve Harrison, NJ.