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Secaucus Junction

Coordinates:40°45′41″N74°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″N74°04′32″W/ 40.76127917328393°N 74.07569111593966°W/40.76127917328393; -74.07569111593966
Owned byNew Jersey Transit
Line(s)
Platforms
Tracks8
Connections
Construction
Platform levels2
Parking1,080 spaces, 14accessiblespaces[3]
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
Other information
Fare zone1
History
OpenedDecember 15, 2003(December 15, 2003)
Passengers
201726,298 (average weekday)[4][5] Increase12.2%
Services
Preceding station NJ Transit Following station
Newark Penn Station
towardTrenton
 Northeast Corridor Line New York
Terminus
Newark Penn Station
towardBay Head
 North Jersey Coast Line
Newark Penn Station
towardHigh Bridge
 Raritan Valley Line
limited service
Newark Broad Street
towardHackettstown
 Montclair-Boonton Line
weekdays
Morristown Line
Newark Broad Street
towardGladstone
 Gladstone Branch
limited service
Wood-Ridge
towardSpring Valley
 Pascack Valley Line Hoboken
Terminus
Kingsland
towardSuffern
 Main Line
Rutherford
towardSuffern
 Bergen County Line
Meadowlands
Terminus
 Meadowlands Rail Line
special event service
Preceding station Metro-North Railroad Following station
Ramsey Route 17
towardPort Jervis
 Port Jervis Line Hoboken
Terminus
Location
Map

Secaucus Junction(signed asSecaucus) is an intermodal transit hub served byNew Jersey Transit(NJ Transit) andMetro-North RailroadinSecaucus,New Jersey.It is one of thebusiest railway stations in North America.

The $450 million, 321,000-square-foot (29,800 m2) station opened on December 15, 2003. It was known asSecaucus Transferduring planning stages and was dedicated as theFrank R. Lautenberg Rail Station at Secaucus Junction.U.S. SenatorFrank Lautenberg,who died in 2013, was a transit advocate who had worked to allocate federal funds for the project.[6]

The station is on theNortheast Corridor(NEC) five miles west ofNew York Penn Stationand five miles east ofNewark Penn Station.At Secaucus, the NEC crosses above theMain Line,which originates/terminates atHoboken Terminal;the station allows passengers to transfer between the two lines. The station is served by all NJ Transit rail lines except for theAtlantic City Lineand thePrinceton Branch.Amtraktrains 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 theErie Lackawanna Railwayand its predecessors, while the Newark Division lines had once been part of thePennsylvania RailroadandCentral Railroad of New Jersey.Conrailran both networks under contract to theNew Jersey Department of Transportationfrom 1976 until handing them to NJ Transit in 1983. While the opening of theKearny ConnectionandWaterfront Connectionin 1996 allowed for the implementation of some interdivisional trains, including the "Midtown Direct" service toNew York Penn Stationon the Hoboken Division'sMorris & 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-trackNortheast Corridorembankment 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 theHudson County Burial Groundsto be disinterred and moved to another cemetery.[7]

The station was built with little public parking, as NJT believed few passenger trips would originate there. In 2005, exit 15X on the adjacentNew Jersey Turnpikeopened 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.[8]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 towardManhattancommuters, and is expected to expand to 1,538 total units by 2024.[9][10]On June 1, 2009,Edison Parkfast,a private company, opened the first parking lot near the station,[11]with space for 1,094 cars. Bicycle parking is also available.[12]

On July 26, 2009, NJ Transit beganrail serviceto theMeadowlands stationat theMeadowlands Sports Complex,with Secaucus Junction being a transfer point for passengers.[13]From 2009 to 2014, Secaucus Junction served trains coming from Metro-North'sNew Haven LineforNew York GiantsandNew York Jetsfootball games at the Meadowlands with 1:00 p.m. kickoffs on Sundays.[14][15]In anticipation of increased ridership forSuper Bowl XLVIIIin February 2014, NJT extended the lower level platforms at Secaucus Junction by 120 ft (37 m) to accommodatemulti-level10-cartrain setswhich could handle about 1,400 to 1,800 passengers per trip.[16]The capacity to handle crowds, a plan dubbed theMass 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. SenatorFrank Lautenbergto Washington, D.C. for his burial.[17]On February 2, 2014, a limited number of Amtrak trains made stops at Secaucus for passengers going toSuper Bowl XLVIII.[18]Local officials have indicated a desire to have regular Amtrak service stop at Secaucus Junction afterAmerican Dream Meadowlandsopened in October 2019,[19]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.[20]In 2021NJ Transitauthorized studies for alternative options between the Meadowlands Sports Complex and Secaucus Junction including a bus "transitway".[21][22][23]Further funding for design was approved in 2023 for an exclusive bus transitway planned to go into service for the2026 FIFA World Cup.[24]

Station layout

[edit]
Concourse at Secaucus Junction

Despite its name, Secaucus Junction is not a truejunction,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.[25]Such a loop, however, is proposed as part of theGateway Projectto improve commuter access toManhattan.

  • 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 atHoboken Terminal.[25]
  • The upper platform level tracks are electrified and carry trains to and fromNew 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.[25]Amtrak trains pass through the upper-level tracks without stopping.
  • The upper concourse level has a New Jersey Transit customer service office, aconvenience storeandfood 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,andtitaniumsculpture of acattail(abundant in the surroundingNew Jersey Meadowlands) bySan FranciscoartistCork Marcheschi.The tops of the cattails are lit from within in the purple, blue, and orange colors of NJ Transit.[25]

Proposed New York City Subway extension

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

On November 16, 2010,The New York Timesreported thatNew York CityMayorMichael Bloomberg's administration was working on a plan to bring the7and<7>​ trains of theNew York City Subwayunder theHudson Riverto Secaucus Junction.[26][27]Anextension of that servicefromTimes Square – 42nd Streetto a new terminus atEleventh Avenue and 34th Street,has already been built.[28][29]

The extension would take the subway outside the city's andNew York's borders and under the Hudson River for the first time. The plan would alleviate pressure on theNJ Transit/Amtrakroute under the Hudson, after the cancellation of theAccess to the Region's Coretunnel project by New Jersey GovernorChris Christiein October 2010. It would offer a direct route toGrand Central Terminalon the east side ofManhattan,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.[30]On October 26, 2011, Bloomberg reiterated his support for the project, while Christie also expressed general concurrence.[31][32]In April 2013, theMetropolitan Transportation Authorityrejected the proposed extension, citing lack of funding.[33]However, it was reconsidered again in 2018.[34][35]

Gateway Project

[edit]

TheGateway Project,a series of infrastructure improvements along the NEC betweenNewark Penn StationandNew 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 truejunction station.As part of the second phase of the Gateway Project, the loop is projected to be constructed between 2024 and 2030.[36]

View of Secaucus Junction from the westernHudson Palisades

See also

[edit]

References

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