BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. joined NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles today for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of improvements to the Montclair-Boonton Line’s historic Watsessing Station in Bloomfield.

“I am an advocate for public transportation in Congress because I know how important NJ TRANSIT is for the residents of my district and for tens of thousands of others throughout the state,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr.

“This project exemplifies our commitment to provide our customers with safe and comfortable transit facilities that make it easy for them to choose NJ TRANSIT as their preferred travel mode,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.

Nearly 450 rail customers who board or exit trains at the station each weekday will benefit from the restoration and rehabilitation work.

Improvements included new platform lighting, repairs to the cantilevered canopies, historically sensitive repairs to the inbound and outbound concrete platforms, new roof tiles, repairs and replacement of metal fencing and stairways, anti-graffiti coatings to concrete surfaces and a new drainage system. The station was built in 1912.

“We greatly appreciate the investment NJ TRANSIT has made in Bloomfield’s two commuter rail stations, which we view as assets to our community,” said Bloomfield Mayor Raymond McCarthy.

In June, federal, state and local officials gathered at historic Bloomfield Station to celebrate the completion of a restoration project of an inbound shelter with a climate- controlled waiting area, new lighting and seating.

The $1.7 million state-funded Watsessing Station project was awarded through a competitive bidding process to Watertrol, Inc. of Cranford in September, 2007. Construction began the following month and was completed this month on budget and on time.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 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 164 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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