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(erielack) Upper Montclair, NJ station news + Watsessing station renovations

This is the one that had a big fire - it's located on the NY&GL.
Watsessing is on the Montclair Branch. News courtesy Gary Kazin...

	- Paul





UPPER MONTCLAIR STATION RECONSTRUCTION PLAN ADVANCES NJ TRANSIT Board
approves lease of land to developer September 10, 2007
NJT-07-087

NEWARK, NJ - Plans for a new Upper Montclair Station building advanced
today with the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors approving a lease for the
land on which the station building will be built.

A new building with restaurant, public restrooms and waiting areas for
NJ TRANSIT rail customers will replace the structure that was
extensively damaged by fire in February, 2006.

The board today approved a 10-year land lease to Notchwood LLC, with
three additional five-year option periods.  Notchwood, based in Little
Falls, was selected in July as developer and tenant from proposals
evaluated by officials from NJ TRANSIT, Montclair and the Montclair
Township Historic Preservation Commission.

"This project is an example of a public-private partnership that
leverages our resources to produce maximum economic, functional and
aesthetic benefits for Montclair residents and NJ TRANSIT customers,"
said NJ TRANSIT Chairman and Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri.

Notchwood is responsible for planning, designing, financing, building,
operating and maintaining the restaurant and station building.

"This project will remain a priority for us through its completion
because we fully understand that the new station building and restaurant
will enhance levels of comfort and convenience for our Montclair-Boonton
Line customers as well as for Montclair residents,"
said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.

Selection criteria included a willingness on the part of the developer
to design a new building in a way that is sensitive to the historic
architecture of the previous station, which was built in 1892.

"We are working hard to ensure that the new station will harmonize with
the surrounding area and expect it to be an asset for the community as
well as for NJ TRANSIT customers," said Montclair Councilor Gerald
Tobin.

The new, 2,800-square-foot building is estimated to cost about $850,000.
NJ TRANSIT will contribute up to $287,000 in insurance proceeds toward
construction, minus costs associated with demolition of the fire-damaged
structure.  Demolition started last week, with workers first removing
salvageable materials from the fire-damaged station building.

Notchwood is expected to submit a final building design in the coming
weeks for review by NJ TRANSIT and the State Historic Preservation
Office. Pending final approvals, construction is expected to start by
the end of 2008.





NJ TRANSIT TO RESTORE CANOPY AT WATSESSING TRAIN STATION Canopy repairs
will improve commuting experience September 10, 2007
NJT-07-066

BLOOMFIELD, NJ - The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved nearly
$2 million worth of improvements for Watsessing Station in Bloomfield,
including restoration of the inbound and outbound canopies and
rehabilitation of the station area.

"Securing the funding necessary to make this project happen has been a
worthy cause, as it will provide New Jersey commuters with shelter and
enhanced comfort," said U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., who secured the
federal funding while a member of the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee.

"The restoration of Watsessing Station guarantees that this valued
treasure will not only improve the commuting experience for customers,
but it will preserve the station for generations to come,"
said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Kris
Kolluri.

The Board awarded a $1.7 million contract to Watertrol, Inc. of
Cranford, NJ, to restore the platform and canopy, mount new roof tiles
and draining system, repair and replace metal fences and stairways,
install new platform lighting, and treat concrete surfaces with
anti-graffiti protection.

"These improvements demonstrate both Bloomfield Township's and NJ
TRANSIT's shared commitment to preserving history and improving the
transit experience for area residents," said NJ TRANSIT Executive
Director Richard Sarles.
"This is all done with an eye towards making NJ TRANSIT the 'preferred
choice' for commuters."

"The rehabilitation of Watsessing Station will help in our effort to
reestablish Bloomfield as a vibrant neighborhood, and bring business,
commerce, and vitality to our community," said Bloomfield Township Mayor
Raymond McCarthy.

Built in 1912, Watsessing Station serves approximately 200
Montclair-Boonton Line customers on a typical weekday.

Construction is expected to begin in November 2007, with completion in
the fall of 2008.


http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&;
PRES
S_RELEASE_ID=2359

NJ TRANSIT TO CONSTRUCT LONG SLIP PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE Project will advance
the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway September 10, 2007
NJT-07-094

NEWARK, NJ - Residents of Jersey City, Hoboken and other Hudson County
Waterfront communities will benefit from a project approved today by the
NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors that will complete a critical segment of
the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway.

The Board awarded a $6.4 million contract to Simpson & Brown, Inc., of
West Cranford, NJ, for the construction of a pedestrian bridge spanning
the east end of the Long Slip Canal adjacent to the Hudson-Bergen Light
Rail station at Hoboken Terminal.

"The Long Slip pedestrian bridge is a critical link in the development
of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, offering ready access to the
transportation options at Hoboken Terminal," said Governor Jon S.
Corzine.
"Construction of the bridge will provide residents of Waterfront
communities with access to employment, education and recreation centers
without the need to get into a car."

"I am proud to have worked to garner federal funding to make several
stretches of this walkway a reality.  This is a key connection between
two thriving Waterfront cities-one that will further extend the reach of
public transportation options for local residents," said U.S. Senator
Robert Menendez. "I look forward to the completion of this crucial
segment of the Waterfront Walkway and the benefits it will bring to New
Jersey."

"By building the Long Slip bridge, we will integrate the Waterfront
Walkway into our multimodal transportation network," said Transportation
Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Kris Kolluri.  "With the
Walkway offering non-vehicular access to NJ TRANSIT and trans-Hudson
services at Hoboken Terminal, walking, biking and other recreational
activities can become viable modes of transportation."

The bridge will connect the nearby Newport section of Jersey City with
Hoboken Terminal, providing pedestrians with a direct path to light
rail, commuter rail, bus, PATH and ferry services.

"The new pedestrian bridge will provide convenient access from other
Waterfront communities to all that the City of Hoboken has to offer-both
as a transportation hub and a center for recreation, shopping and
nightlife,"
said Hoboken Mayor David Roberts.

"We look forward to this project bridging the gap for our Newport area
residents who will be able to walk to Hoboken, and we equally welcome
the visitors from Hoboken and beyond that will have easy pedestrian
access to our vibrant community," said Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah
Healy.

"Thanks to Senator Menendez's support, we have funding for a project
that is essential to completing the Waterfront Walkway on the south side
of Hoboken Terminal," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.
"Convenient pedestrian access to and from our bus, rail and light rail
services will open up new travel opportunities for many residents."

NJ TRANSIT's portion of the Waterfront Walkway will link to a new
temporary walkway connecting the Long Slip pedestrian bridge to the
Newport section of Jersey City.  The temporary walkway will be
constructed by the Newport Associates Development Company, the
developers of Newport, and will be completed in advance of the
pedestrian bridge.

Construction of the bridge will begin later this fall, with completion
expected in spring 2009.

About the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway

The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway currently extends along nearly 15
miles in Hudson County and encompasses state, county and municipal
parks.  Once complete, it will provide a contiguous 18.5 mile linear
walkway system of parks, piers and open space along the Hudson River and
Upper New York Bay waterfront, extending from the George Washington
Bridge to the Bayonne Bridge.

Gary R. Kazin
DL&W Milepost R35.7
Rockaway, New Jersey


       
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