Commuters passing through the heart of Middlesex County are about to get an enhanced experience designed to complement New Brunswick’s growth as work has begun to revamp the city’s historic train station.
Middlesex County, in partnership with NJ TRANSIT, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction phase for the New Brunswick Train Station. The project will modernize and expand one of the busiest transit hubs along NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor line.
The endeavor is currently out to bid for construction, with work slated to begin in late fall of 2025. The overhaul of the station, which was constructed in 1903, is expected to be finished by 2028.
The multi-phase construction process will begin with sidewalk and exterior work along Easton Avenue and Albany Street surrounding the station, followed by construction of the new ticketing center featuring an elevator and waiting areas. Other highlights of the work on the project include renovations to the westbound and eastbound platforms and expanded pedestrian transfer passages.
Modernized waiting areas and new entrance signage are part of the project, as are the installation of state-of-the-art trainway and building systems and extensive landscaping enhancements.
“Upgrading and expanding one of the busiest hubs along the Northeast Corridor is part of our commitment to modernizing New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure for commuters and residents — preserving historic spaces while investing in improving quality and accessibility to move the regional economy forward,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “As the HELIX brings thousands of innovators to our state-of-the-art hub at the heart of Rutgers’ campus, we will meet this influx of workers with safe, modern, and reliable transportation.”
Speaking of HELIX, the train station renovation is being undertaken to prepare New Brunswick for the future influx of guests. Nokia’s pending arrival at the H-2 development, the recently opened Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, and the expanding Rutgers University footprint will significantly increase visitors to the city in the coming years.
NJ TRANSIT has partnered with Rutgers University on a three-year agreement that makes the higher education giant the official sponsor of the train station. The deal aims to further promote and integrate New Jersey’s top public research university into the heart of the city’s transportation hub as it further strengthens its presence in the community.
“For more than a century, the New Brunswick Train Station has been the front door to our City,” said Mayor of New Brunswick Jim Cahill. “With this investment and modernization, we’re ensuring it remains a welcoming, accessible, and forward-looking gateway that supports the growth of New Brunswick, Middlesex County, and the entire region for generations to come.”
The renovation of the New Brunswick Train station was designed by infrastructure consulting firm AECOM, who were awarded a $7 million contract for the work back in November 2023.
New Brunswick is one of several major transit hubs in the Garden State to get overhauled in recent years. Newark Penn Station underwent a $160 million renovation in 2021, while Hoboken Terminal is currently undergoing a sprawling renovation as part of a public-private partnership.
