New Jersey Transit Approves $65.6 Million in Light Rail Capital Improvement Funding

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 12, the Board of Directors of New Jersey Transit (NJ TRANSIT) approved an increase of up to $65.6 million in capital improvement funding for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system, with ACI-Herzog Joint Venture responsible for project implementation. The authorization includes $62.6 million in Fiscal Year 2027 capital improvement funding and $3 million in existing Capital Asset Replacement Program funding. The line is slated to receive up to $250 million in capital investment over the next five years.

This funding allocation covers station elevators, vehicle maintenance, tunnels, signal control, track sections, and passenger safety facilities. The elevator rehabilitation budget is $12 million, covering 8th Street Station, 9th Street Station, and Bergenline Avenue Station; the light rail vehicle maintenance and equipment upgrade budget is approximately $11.89 million, including propulsion system modernization, air compressor replacement, door sensor upgrades, train event recorders, and passenger information system improvements.

The Weehawken Tunnel and Bergenline Tunnel rehabilitation budget is $7.9 million, covering replacement of fire doors, drainage system upgrades, and catenary replacement. The signal control system is allocated $10.5 million for the design and manufacture of 4 sets of new signal control prototype equipment to replace existing aging control units. The track section improvement budget is $7.06 million, covering yard sleepers, switches and sleepers, station railings, and facility upgrades in the Wye-North section.

An additional $3 million is allocated for technical and communication systems, for the upgrade of remote terminal control equipment at traction power substations. The passenger safety facilities budget is $9.8 million, covering station signage, fencing, and other safety infrastructure. The New Jersey Department of Transportation has separately allocated $370,000 for safety improvements at the 6th Street crossing and 9th Street Station.

This funding authorization is implemented through an amendment to Contract No. 0000043 between NJ TRANSIT and ACI-Herzog. The contract originally included 15 years of operations and maintenance services and the Capital Asset Replacement Program for Fiscal Years 2026–2030, but did not separately itemize funding for the aforementioned capital improvement projects. Following this amendment, the contract ceiling increases to $1,632.66 million, of which approximately $1,507.06 million is for 15 years of operations and maintenance services, with the remainder covering capital asset replacement and newly added improvement funding.

The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail runs north-south along the Hudson River waterfront in Hudson County, New Jersey, with a total length of 20.6 miles (approximately 33.2 kilometers), 24 stations, and 52 light rail vehicles, serving approximately 48,000 passengers per day. ACI-Herzog has been providing 15 years of operations and maintenance services for the system since September 13, 2025, and the contract also includes the Capital Asset Replacement Program. Funding for the newly added projects comes primarily from the Federal Transit Administration, the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund, and other sources.