NJ TRANSIT AWARDS ITS FIRST STIMULUS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR PARKING EXPANSION AT EDISON STATION |
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NJ Transit
Source: PressReleasePoint.com
8 April 2009
New 477-space lot will more than double capacity
NJT-09-037
NEWARK, NJ — The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved its first federal stimulus-funded construction contract today for a project that will more than double parking capacity at Edison Station on the Northeast Corridor.
Under a $4.7 million construction contract awarded to Petillo Inc. of Flanders, New Jersey, NJ TRANSIT will create nearly 500 new parking spaces – more than enough to accommodate everyone currently on a waiting list for parking at the station. In addition, the project will generate roughly 110 jobs during construction, expected to start in June.
"Federal funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is making a real difference here in New Jersey with transportation construction projectssuch as this one in Edison, creating well-paying jobs that are helping to jumpstart our economy," said Governor Jon Corzine.
“This project, which will benefit hundreds of customers every day, is being advanced as a result of the successful efforts of our Congressional delegation – especially Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez – to advocate on behalf of New Jersey residents for our fair share of job-creating federal stimulus funding,” said NJ TRANSIT Chairman and Transportation Commissioner Stephen Dilts.
“Providing customers with adequate parking is a key to encouraging them off congested roadways and onto transit,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. “This project will give hundreds of additional commuters the opportunity to make the switch to NJ TRANSIT while taking people off the waiting list.”
“We are excited about the addition of 477 parking spaces for the Edison Train Station. This addresses a major area of concern for our residents and for this section of our community. This project will improve our residents’ quality of life, create jobs and stimulate the local economy. We look forward to our continued partnership with NJ Transit as we move this forward,” said Edison Mayor Jun Choi.
The new parking lot, along with new lighting and sidewalks, will be built adjacent to the outbound platform with access from Kilmer Road. A traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Kilmer Road and the entrance road to the new lot.
The project also includes repaving and reconfiguring one of two existing lots on the inbound side of the tracks to optimize capacity and improve traffic flow, and creating a public space south of the station building.
Current parking capacity at Edison is 362 spaces. After the new lot is opened and the existing lot is reconfigured, the station will feature 816 spaces – more than double the current inventory. There are currently about 370 names on a waiting list for parking at Edison.
NJ TRANSIT will own the new lot and will seek bids for an operator. Park America operates the existing two lots, one of which NJ TRANSIT owns with the other jointly owned by NJ TRANSIT and Edison Township.
The project is expected to be completed by early 2010.
Edison Station is the 13th busiest of the164 stations and terminals served by NJ TRANSIT, serving nearly 7,000 customers each weekday with direct service to Newark, Secaucus Junction and Penn Station New York, among other destinations.