Work on New Jersey Transit’s (NJ Transit) Delco Lead Storage and Inspection Facility and County Yard Improvement Project can now begin after securing the final environmental permits required and as the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission (D&R Canal) granted its approval.
The D&R Canal approval is the last major environmental permit necessary for construction to begin on the secure storage facility that will be capable of storing 400 or more rail cars.
“NJ Transit remains committed to advancing important capital projects like the Delco Lead Storage and Inspection Facility,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett. “Securing this final permit puts us one step closer to safely storing, inspecting and servicing trains before, during and after an extreme weather event. This will enable customers to get back to business sooner and reduce the impact on regional economic productivity.”
The project site is strategically situated along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) in New Brunswick and North Brunswick, N.J., and alongside the Amtrak-owned County Yard. Currently underutilized, the expansion project would allow for a significant increase in rail car storage capability and inspection facilities to ensure cars and engines can be returned to safe service quickly following a major weather event.
With the increased storage capabilities of an expanded Delco Lead yard, NJ Transit will be able to prevent extensive damage to its fleet and speed up a return to safe and regularly scheduled service.
The Delco Lead Storage and Inspection Facility project, a $370-million project, will advance as a result of a grant awarded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), through FTA’s Emergency Relief Program. It is expected to begin construction in late 2020 and be completed in early 2025.
NJ Transit has implemented a comprehensive Resilience Program to prepare for future major storm events and minimize potential impact to rail, bus and light-rail services. These projects include the: Long Slip Fill and Rail Enhancement at Hoboken Yard; Raritan River Bridge Replacement; TRANSITGRID power project; Signals and Communications Hardening; and implementation of the Emergency Operations Center managed by the New Jersey Transit Police. Combined, these and additional smaller projects will give NJ Transit and its customers more reliable, regular and safe service during and following potentially disruptive events.
