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Secaucus Junction

Coordinates: 40°45′41″N 74°04′32″W / 40.76127917328393°N 74.07569111593966°W / 40.76127917328393; -74.07569111593966
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Secaucus
Upper level platforms of Secaucus Junction
General information
Other namesFrank R. Lautenberg Rail Station at Secaucus Junction
LocationCounty Road & County Avenue
Secaucus, New Jersey
Coordinates40°45′41″N 74°04′32″W / 40.76127917328393°N 74.07569111593966°W / 40.76127917328393; -74.07569111593966
Owned byNew Jersey Transit
Line(s)
Distance5.0 miles (8.0 km) from New York Penn Station[1]
Platforms
Tracks8
Connections
Construction
Platform levels2
Parking1,080 spaces, 14 accessible spaces[4]
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
Other information
Fare zone1
History
OpenedDecember 15, 2003 (December 15, 2003)
Passengers
201726,298 (average weekday)[5][6] Increase 12.2%
Services
Preceding station NJ Transit Following station
Newark Penn Station
toward Trenton
 Northeast Corridor Line New York Penn Station
Terminus
Newark Penn Station
toward Bay Head
 North Jersey Coast Line
Newark Penn Station
toward High Bridge
 Raritan Valley Line
limited service
Newark Broad Street
toward Hackettstown
 Montclair-Boonton Line
weekdays
Morristown Line
Newark Broad Street
toward Gladstone
 Gladstone Branch
limited service
Wood-Ridge
toward Spring Valley
 Pascack Valley Line Hoboken
Terminus
Kingsland
toward Suffern
 Main Line
Rutherford
toward Suffern
 Bergen County Line
Meadowlands
Terminus
 Meadowlands Rail Line
special event service
Preceding station Metro-North Railroad Following station
Ramsey Route 17
toward Port Jervis
 Port Jervis Line Hoboken
Terminus
Location
Map

Secaucus Junction (signed as Secaucus) is an intermodal transit hub served by New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) and Metro-North Railroad in Secaucus, New Jersey. It is one of the busiest railway stations in North America.

The $450 million, 321,000-square-foot (29,800 m2) station opened on December 15, 2003. It was known as Secaucus Transfer during planning stages and was dedicated as the Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station at Secaucus Junction. U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, who died in 2013, was a transit advocate who had worked to allocate federal funds for the project.[7]

The station is on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) five miles west of New York Penn Station and five miles east of Newark Penn Station. At Secaucus, the NEC crosses above the Main Line, which originates/terminates at Hoboken Terminal; the station allows passengers to transfer between the two lines. The station is served by all NJ Transit rail lines except for the Atlantic City Line and the Princeton Branch. Amtrak trains run through Secaucus but do not stop.

A bus terminal was built at the station in 2016.

Purpose and history

[edit]
Secaucus Junction's lower-level platforms

NJ Transit's rail operations are split between two divisions, a legacy of their roots in separate railroads. The Hoboken Division consists of lines formerly part of the Erie Lackawanna Railway and its predecessors, while the Newark Division lines had once been part of the Pennsylvania Railroad and Central Railroad of New Jersey. Conrail ran both networks under contract to the New Jersey Department of Transportation from 1976 until handing them to NJ Transit in 1983. While the opening of the Kearny Connection and Waterfront Connection in 1996 allowed for the implementation of some interdivisional trains, including the "Midtown Direct" service to New York Penn Station on the Hoboken Division's Morris & Essex Lines, direct passenger transfers between the divisions were still not possible. Secaucus Junction was built to integrate the two systems and allow for transfers between trains on each division.[citation needed]

The two-track Northeast Corridor embankment was expanded to three tracks for a mile on each side of the station and to four tracks through the station itself, allowing Amtrak and nonstop NJT trains to pass stopped trains. The two-track Bergen County Line was re-aligned southwestward to join the two-track Main Line to pass through the station on the four-track lower level. The construction required the bodies from the Hudson County Burial Grounds to be disinterred and moved to another cemetery.[8]

The station was built with little public parking, as NJT believed few passenger trips would originate there. In 2005, exit 15X on the adjacent New Jersey Turnpike opened to provide easier access to the station; two years later, it was the least-used interchange on the turnpike, possibly due in part to the lack of parking at the station.[9] Despite NJT's prediction that the station would be used primarily for transfers, in 2008 an upscale "transit-oriented" housing development called Xchange at Secaucus Junction opened nearby with 799 units marketed toward Manhattan commuters, and is expected to expand to 1,538 total units by 2024.[10][11] On June 1, 2009, Edison Parkfast, a private company, opened the first parking lot near the station,[12] with space for 1,094 cars. Bicycle parking is also available.[13]

On July 26, 2009, NJ Transit began rail service to the Meadowlands station at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, with Secaucus Junction being a transfer point for passengers.[14] From 2009 to 2014, Secaucus Junction served trains coming from Metro-North's New Haven Line for New York Giants and New York Jets football games at the Meadowlands with 1:00 p.m. kickoffs on Sundays.[15][16] In anticipation of increased ridership for Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014, NJT extended the lower-level platforms at Secaucus Junction by 120 ft (37 m) to accommodate multi-level 10-car train sets which could handle about 1,400 to 1,800 passengers per trip.[17] The capacity to handle crowds, a plan dubbed the Mass Transit Super Bowl, was seen as unsuccessful.

On June 5, 2013, two days after his death, a special Amtrak train stopped at the station to carry the coffin of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg to Washington, D.C. for his burial.[18] On February 2, 2014, a limited number of Amtrak trains made stops at Secaucus for passengers going to Super Bowl XLVIII.[19] Local officials have indicated a desire to have regular Amtrak service stop at Secaucus Junction after American Dream Meadowlands opened in October 2019,[20] however, as of 2022, this has not been implemented.

Bus-train transfer plaza

In March 2016, a new bus station with 14 bus berths opened; it is used for intermodal connections and was intended to add redundancy to the transportation network.[21] In 2021 NJ Transit authorized studies for alternative options between the Meadowlands Sports Complex and Secaucus Junction including a bus "transitway".[22][23][24] Further funding for design was approved in 2023 for an exclusive bus transitway planned to go into service for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[25]

Station layout

[edit]
Concourse at Secaucus Junction

Despite its name, Secaucus Junction is not a true junction, in which trains can switch between lines; there is no rail connection between the upper and lower levels. The station has two platform levels connected by a third level on top.[26] Such a loop, however, is proposed as part of the Gateway Project to improve commuter access to Manhattan.

  • The lower platform level lacks electrification and has four tracks and two island platforms serving the Bergen County Line, Main Line, Pascack Valley Line, Port Jervis Line, and Meadowlands Line trains, which originate and terminate at Hoboken Terminal.[26]
  • The upper platform level tracks are electrified and carry trains to and from New York Penn Station (usually the Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, Montclair-Boonton, and Morristown Lines) with four tracks and three platforms: two side platforms serving Tracks 2 and 3 (where nonstop trains usually bypass) and one island platform between Tracks A and B.[26] Amtrak trains pass through the upper-level tracks without stopping.
  • The upper concourse level has a New Jersey Transit customer service office, a convenience store and food court. To transfer between trains on different levels, passengers climb up to the upper concourse, pass through faregates, and descend to their destination platforms. At the center of this level is a 30-foot-high (9.1 m) steel, glass, and titanium sculpture of a cattail (abundant in the surrounding New Jersey Meadowlands) by San Francisco artist Cork Marcheschi. The tops of the cattails are lit from within in the purple, blue, and orange colors of NJ Transit.[26]

Proposed New York City Subway extension

[edit]
Further information: 7 Subway Extension § Extensions to New Jersey

On November 16, 2010, The New York Times reported that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration was working on a plan to bring the 7 and <7>​ trains of the New York City Subway under the Hudson River to Secaucus Junction.[27][28] An extension of that service from Times Square – 42nd Street to a new terminus at Eleventh Avenue and 34th Street, has already been built.[29][30]

The extension would take the subway outside the city's and New York's borders and under the Hudson River for the first time. The plan would alleviate pressure on the NJ Transit/Amtrak route under the Hudson, after the cancellation of the Access to the Region's Core tunnel project by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in October 2010. It would offer a direct route to Grand Central Terminal on the east side of Manhattan, while connecting with most other subway routes. New York City spent $250,000 for a consultant to conduct feasibility studies for the project. However, no design work commenced nor were financing arrangements made.[31] On October 26, 2011, Bloomberg reiterated his support for the project, while Christie also expressed general concurrence.[32][33] In April 2013, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority rejected the proposed extension, citing lack of funding.[34] However, it was reconsidered again in 2018.[35][36]

Gateway Project

[edit]

The Gateway Project, a series of infrastructure improvements along the NEC between Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station, includes a proposal to build the so-called Secaucus Loop or Bergen Loop, tracks connecting the Main Line and the NEC at Secaucus, thus creating a true junction station. As part of the second phase of the Gateway Project, the loop is projected to be constructed between 2024 and 2030.[37]

View of Secaucus Junction from the western Hudson Palisades

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ NJ Transit (2005). NJ Transit Rail Operations: Physical Characteristics. pp. 117–119, 142b, 173–182.
  2. ^ "EZ Ride Routes". Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  3. ^ "Megabus begins a route between Lautenburg Station in Secaucus and Boston". The Jersey Journal. March 30, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  4. ^ "Secaucus Junction Station". New Jersey Transit. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "QUARTERLY RIDERSHIP TRENDS ANALYSIS" (PDF). New Jersey Transit. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 19, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  6. ^ "How Many Riders Use NJ Transit's Hoboken Train Station?". Hoboken Patch. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  7. ^ Frassinelli, Mike (June 5, 2013). "U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg gets one last ride at the Secaucus station that bears his name". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  8. ^ "Potter's Field to be Moved for Turnpike-Railroad Interchange". The New York Times. August 29, 2001. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "Ramp to nowhere – 15X is the loneliest exit in Jersey". The Record. October 18, 2007. p. L08.
  10. ^ Brody, Beth (October 7, 2014). "Xchange at Secaucus Junction Takes Luxury Living to NEXT Level in New Jersey, Setting New Lifestyle Standard". Hoboken Patch.
  11. ^ Young, Michael; Pruznick, Matt (October 3, 2023). "Waterside At Xchange's Curtain Wall Nears Completion in Secaucus, New Jersey". New York YIMBY.
  12. ^ "First parking lot opens at Secaucus Junction". The Jersey Journal. June 2, 2009. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  13. ^ "New Jersey Transit". njtransit.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  14. ^ Clunn, Nick (July 26, 2009). "Thousands hop on board new Meadowlands rail service". The Record. Archived from the original on July 29, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  15. ^ Saeed, Khurram (June 29, 2009). "Metro-North to run trains to 10 Jets, Giants games in the 2009 season". Journal News. p. A.1.
  16. ^ "Take The Train To The Game" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  17. ^ Frassinelli, Mike (March 10, 2013). "To make it Super, Meadowlands train needs longer platform, says NJ Transit". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  18. ^ Frassinelli, Mike (June 6, 2013). "U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg gets one last ride at the Secaucus station that bears his name". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  19. ^ Rouse, Karen (December 9, 2013). "NY-NJ transit agencies outline Super Bowl plans". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  20. ^ Higgs, Larry (December 8, 2018). "Next stop for Amtrak: Secaucus? That could be an American Dream for the Meadowlands". NJ Advance Media. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  21. ^ Higgs, Larry (March 29, 2016). "How new Secaucus bus plaza could change your commute". NJ.com. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  22. ^ Higss, Larry (August 26, 2021). "Amid questions, NJ Transit takes first steps to new Transitway to American Dream, MetLife stadium". NJ Advance Media for nj.com. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Wilson, Colleen; Katzban, Nicolas (August 25, 2021). "New Jersey Transit Board approves $3.5 million contract for new bus line to Meadowlands". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  24. ^ "PROJECT SHEET SECAUCUS TO MEADOWLANDS (BOONTON) TRANSITWAY" (PDF). NJ Transit.
  25. ^ Higgs, Larry (July 20, 2023). "NJ Transit racing to build Transitway in time for World Cup 2026". NJ.com. NJ Advance Media. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  26. ^ a b c d "New Jersey Transit". njtransit.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  27. ^ "NJ Commuters Like 7 Train Extension Plan". WCBS. November 17, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  28. ^ "Tunnel to Nowhere Might Become 7 to Secaucus". WNBC. November 17, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  29. ^ Fitzsimmons, Emma G. (September 10, 2015). "Subway Station for 7 Line Opens on Far West Side". The New York Times. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  30. ^ Tangel, Andrew (September 13, 2015). "New Subway Station Opens on NYC's Far West Side". WSJ. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  31. ^ Bagli, Charles V.; Confessore, Nicholas (November 16, 2010). "New York Studies Extending Subway Line to New Jersey". The New York Times. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  32. ^ Lipof, Phil (October 26, 2011). "Mayor Bloomberg wants to extend 7 line to New Jersey". ABC7 New York. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
  33. ^ Young, Elise (October 27, 2011). "Christie Praises New York City Subway Extension to New Jersey". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012.
  34. ^ Donohue, Pete (April 10, 2013). "Mayor Bloomberg push to extend 7 train to Jersey is promptly derailed by the MTA". Daily News. New York.
  35. ^ Walker, Ameena (February 28, 2018). "Port Authority study will consider 7 train extension to New Jersey". Curbed NY. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  36. ^ Barone, Vincent (February 27, 2018). "Cross-Hudson study options include 7 line extension into NJ". am New York. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  37. ^ Chernetz, Janna (February 1, 2016). "Gateway Project Timeline Released, But Cross-Hudson Capacity Relief Still a Long Way Off". Tri-State Transportation Campaign. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Secaucus Junction.
Google Maps Street View
image icon Upper Concourse Level
image icon South Lower Level Concourse
image icon Platform A/B, 2, & 3 (Upper Level)
image icon Platforms E/F & G/H (Lower Level)
image icon Bus Terminal/Plaza
image icon Station from New Jersey Turnpike
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