(rshsdepot) Trenton, NJ

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Transportation Improvements in Mercer County: Quality Commuting

Mercer Business


Several exciting rail projects are slated to benefit Mercer County including
station renovations in Trenton, parking expansion in Hamilton and the Light
Rail Project, which provides both commuter and freight service along a
34-mile stretch from Trenton to Camden.
The Trenton Train Station rehabilitation project got a boost in early
October when the NJ TRANSIT board of directors awarded a $2.8 million
contract to diDomenico + Partners of New York for final design of the
station. The Corporation's rehabilitation project will lead to an improved
facility and provide more comfortable surroundings for commuters.

The project would include expanding the building and adding a second floor/
mezzanine level for additional office, retail and civic space. There will
also be exterior and interior architectural improvements; upgrades of
various building systems and circulation improvements to the existing
parking areas. The station serves a daily weekday ridership of 4,600
passengers, making it the third busiest outlying station on the Northeast
Corridor. "Improvements to the Trenton Train Station are long overdue," said
then- Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox. "For too long, the
transportation needs of our urban centers have been deferred. All of our
customers deserve modem, comfortable stations that improve the quality of
their commutes."

The last work performed on the building occurred in 1992 when the station's
lower level was renovated. As part of the project, two high-level island
platforms with 1,000 feet of canopies and 2,000 square feet of shelter space
were constructed, as was a low-level, side platform. "This renovation
project illustrates the Corporation's commitment toward its back-to-basics
approach with a focus on customer satisfaction," said NJ TRANSIT Executive
Director George Warrington. "We are preparing to bring an outdated facility
into the new century along with an improved NJ TRANSIT rail system built for
tomorrow. We remain focused on meeting the basic infrastructure and capacity
needs of our core system.

Likewise, the parking expansion in Hamilton brings similar optimism. In
July, Transportation Commissioner Fox announced that more than 300 parking
spaces have been added to the overcrowded parking lot at NJ TRANSIT's
Hamilton train station on Sloan Avenue. Fox, who also serves as chairman of
the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors, said cameras and weekday patrols, as well
as new lighting and signage, have been added to bolster security at the
station. "Since its opening in February 1999, Hamilton station has become
very popular with commuters heading into New York City," Fox said. "With the
increased usage, two problems have arisen that needed attention: parking and
security. I want to thank Mayor Gilmore and his staff for their cooperation
and assistance in helping us address these issues."

Fox said parking at NJ TRANSIT stations is one of the agency's major
challenges. Demand for public transit has increased markedly, especially in
the post September 11 environment, he said. "We need to do everything
humanly possible to make using the trains convenient and safe for
commuters," the Commissioner added. Fox said a stone- covered lot was
created to accommodate approximately 260 parking spaces for monthly pass
holders. In addition, re-striping the existing lot created 70 general
parking spaces. Two closed-circuit TV cameras have been installed on the
station clock tower and a security detail will patrol the lot on weekdays
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Municipal police will patrol the lot on evenings and
weekends.

Probably the most anticipated rail development affecting Mercer County is
the Southern New Jersey Light Rail Transit System that will provide new
light rail transit service from Trenton to Camden along the Delaware River.
The line runs roughly parallel to Route 130. According to NJ TRANSIT
spokesperson Ken Hitchner, advanced, articulated diesel light rail vehicles
will travel along an augmented freight right of way. Light rail will operate
from 6a.m. to 10 p.m.seven days a week and freight will operate between
10p.m. and 6a.m., six days a week. In addition, access is provided to NJ
TRANSIT, Amtrak, SEPTA, and PATCO trains.

South Jersey Light Rail is estimated to serve 4,500 riders per day and will
enhance the region's economic development. The 34-mile system will include
20 stations of which three are park-n-ride facilities. A total of 3,500
parking spaces will be available. Seventeen bridges will be reconstructed
along the route and 50 grade crossings will be upgraded. Ground breaking
took place in May 2000, with the next milestone in early 2003 When the line
is expected to open.

In summary, the South Jersey Light Rail will provide advanced rapid transit
service to the towns along the Delaware River and will spur economic
development in the region. Approximately 4,000 jobs will be created during
construction and 200 permanent jobs Will be created by the time service
begins.

Another transportation development in Mercer County is the proposed
expansion of the Trenton-Mercer Airport main terminal in Ewing. Currently,
corporations that charter or own corporate aircraft utilize this airport, as
well as Shuttle America, a subsidiary of US Airways which operates over 80
weekly flights to Boston, and over 25 weekly flights to Pittsburgh. "Once a
person reaches Pittsburgh they can fly to 75 other destinations," said
Richard Buck, director of Communications of Mercer County.

Further, Buck reports that at least ten commercial carriers have expressed
an interest in commercial air service in the future. With increasing demand,
Buck insists the expansion of the airport terminal is a necessity. "In
practical terms, we need room for administrative offices, a boarding area
for passengers and room to hold the new security equipment that is now
mandated," he said.

All that said, he reports Mercer County is still waiting for the final
approval from the FAA to make improvements to the antiquated terminal. "I'm
confident that the FAA will approve funding for this project," Buck said. "I
think the region at large will benefit economically from tourism and
business to Mercer County due to this renovation and expansion of the
Trenton-Mercer Airport."


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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #568
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org