(rshsdepot) Morristown, NJ

[I95BERNIEW_@_aol.com]

From the Daily Record.
 
Bernie Wagenblast
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
July 17, 2008

Morristown rail, bus transportation gets $3.3M federal boost
 
Funding to help rehabilitation effort
 
By Minhaj Hassan
Daily Record 
 
MORRISTOWN -- The federal Department of Transportation has awarded more  than 
$3.3 million for the rehabilitation of the Morristown rail and bus station,  
officials announced on Wednesday.
 
"With a record number of passengers traveling by train and using stations  
like Morristown every day, we must continue to upgrade our stations so travelers 
 get to destinations safely, comfortably and on time," said Sen. Frank R.  
Lautenberg, who made the announcement along with Sen. Robert Menendez, both  
D-N.J.
 
"These funds go a long way in the effort to modernize our public  
transportation systems, giving commuters options and helping get cars off the  road," 
Lautenberg said in a statement.
 
The grant, administered by the Transportation Department's Federal Transit  
Administration, will aid the Morristown Station Historic Rehabilitation Project 
 on Morris Street. The $3,360,997 in funding will be used for the second 
phase of  the project, which includes the rehabilitation of the exterior and 
interior of  the main station building and the exterior of the shelter house, the 
senators  said. It also will fund the rehabilitation of the platforms, canopies 
and  stairways at the station.
 
Preliminary design plans for this phase of the rehabilitation project began  
in November 2007. The design stage is about 30 percent complete, and  
construction is scheduled to be completed in October 2010.
 
The first phase of the project -- which included rehabilitation of the roof  
and roof drainage systems, as well as lighting improvements -- was completed 
in  May 2007.
 
"Improving New Jersey's public transportation system is critical,  especially 
as people become increasingly reliant on bus and train stations like  
Morristown's, with gas prices sky high. This investment will go a long way  towards 
ensuring that passengers have a safe and timely commute, and in cutting  down 
the number of cars on the road," Menendez said.
 
Mayor Donald Cresitello said that with the Transit Village project being  
built nearby, the rehab project can only help further improve the  area.



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