BLOOMFIELD-U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) joined state and local officials and NJ TRANSIT to announce that Bloomfield transit riders can expect a more comfortable and accommodating commuting experience.  The announcement included advancement of a project that will restore the Bloomfield Train Station and reopen a shelter building with a climate controlled waiting area, new lighting and seating.  

"I am pleased to have been able to secure funding toward this project that will provide a more comfortable commuting environment for Bloomfield residents," said U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ08), who secured the $1.35 million in federal funding for Bloomfield Train Station while a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

On May 17, the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors awarded a $1.3 million contract to Watertrol, Inc. of Cranford, NJ for rehabilitation of the inbound shelter building and restoration of the boarding platforms.  Listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, the inbound shelter building suffered fire damage in 1991 and was stabilized in 2004 to preserve the structure for future rehabilitation.

"These improvements will return Bloomfield Station to its customers, who will soon benefit from a comfortable, climate-controlled waiting area complete with new seating and an improved overall appearance," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.

"As a representative of this district, I have worked hard to ensure that sufficient funding levels go toward making these improvements at Bloomfield Station," said State Senator Ronald L. Rice, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

"NJ TRANSIT's investment in Bloomfield Station will not only provide a safer, more comfortable commute for our Township residents," said Bloomfield Township Mayor Raymond McCarthy.  "It will restore the historic character of a building that is at the heart of our central business district."

 "I've made the revitalization of both of our NJ Transit Train Stations and their surrounding neighborhoods a top priority over my 5 years as Councilwoman. As a fellow commuter this project is a great step towards giving the commuters of Bloomfield a first class station," stated Bloomfield Councilwoman Patricia Ritchings.

"The restoration of the Watsessing and Lackawanna station is vital to the re-birth of the communities surrounding those stations.  I am proud to have worked with New Jersey Transit my fellow council people, Senator Rice and Congressman Pascrell to make today a reality.  There is much more work to do, but the restoration of the shelter is a great first step," stated Bloomfield Councilman Bernard Hamilton.

Serving approximately 900 customers on a typical weekday, Bloomfield Station is NJ TRANSIT's busiest outlying station on the Montclair-Boonton Line.

The project will include installation of new windows, floor tiles, lighting and seating, as well as heating and air conditioning in the waiting area.  The project also calls for the repair and staining of the concrete platform and canopy, strengthening of roof supports and installation of new roofing tiles.

Construction on the project will begin this summer, with completion expected in 2008.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing nearly 857,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 162 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

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