NJ TRANSIT BREAKS GROUND ON COUNTY YARD AND DELCO LEAD STORAGE & INSPECTION FACILITY PROJECT TO PROVIDE SAFE STORAGE FOR RAIL CARS

Project Includes Reconstruction of Five Miles of Electrified Track and Construction of New Service and Inspection Facility Along Northeast Corridor in New Brunswick

December 12, 2024

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - NJ TRANSIT today celebrated the groundbreaking of the County Yard and Delco Lead Storage and Inspection Facility Project. The project is part of NJ TRANSIT's Resilience Program and will create an additional resilient storage location for rail cars and locomotives that will provide greater protection against future flooding. The centrally located Delco Lead, along the Northeast Corridor in New Brunswick, will allow rail cars and locomotives to be safely stored and protected during extreme weather events. The project also includes the construction of a new Service and Inspection facility on the adjacent grounds to quickly inspect and return the equipment to service once a weather event has passed.

"The new County Yard/Delco Lead Storage and Facility Project is a critical investment that will improve the efficiency and efficacy of NJ TRANSIT's operations along the Northeast Corridor. I'm proud to have helped secure $180 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to boost the resiliency of our regional infrastructure and improve the experience of New Jersey's hundreds of thousands of daily public transit commuters," said Senator Cory Booker.

"Today's groundbreaking represents a critical step forward in ensuring New Jersey's transit infrastructure is prepared to withstand the challenges of extreme weather. Projects like the Delco Lead Storage and Inspection Facility are essential to safeguarding rail services and protecting our investments in public transit. I applaud NJ TRANSIT's commitment to building resilience and reliability into our transportation system, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have for commuters and communities across our state," said Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06).

"Today's groundbreaking marks a critical step in enhancing the resilience and reliability of NJ TRANSIT," said Michael Culotta, Regional Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration. "The Federal Transit Administration is contributing $184.5 million to the County Yard and Delco Lead Storage and Inspection Facility Project to safeguard transit operations, strengthen resilience, and keep New Jersey moving forward for years to come."

"NJ TRANSIT continues to take proactive steps to enhance the resiliency of our facilities across the state," said DOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chair Fran O'Connor. "Through the Delco Lead Project, we are safeguarding our rail cars against severe weather events and enabling faster restoration of services. This forward-thinking approach not only protects critical assets, it reinforces NJ TRANSIT's commitment to maintaining a robust, resilient customer-focused transit system."

"This groundbreaking marks another significant milestone in NJ TRANSIT's mission to create a more resilient and reliable transit system," said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. "By investing in resilient infrastructure, NJ TRANSIT is not only protecting critical assets, but also ensuring we can continue delivering reliable service to our customers when they need it most."

"As we continue to invest in modernizing our railroad, it is critical to protect these assets from extreme weather," said NJ Senator and Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee Patrick Diegnan. "Securing the reliability of our transit system will keep New Jersey moving well into the future."

"The transportation system is vital to residents of Central Jersey and enhancing the reliability is a key step forward," said NJ Assemblyman Kevin Egan. "This project will help ensure our transit system continues to safely drive the economy."

"The Board of Middlesex County Commissioners and I commend NJ TRANSIT for their great work and continuing to partner with the County beyond our marquee projects such as the North Brunswick Train Station and New Brunswick Train Station," said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny and Chair of Transportation Committee. "Everything we're doing in collaboration with NJ TRANSIT is making a major impact on our communities and ultimately improving the quality of life of our residents and businesses."

"As the MCIA moves towards 60% design completion in North Brunswick, the construction of the necessary rail infrastructure as part of the County Yard project is critical to provide rail access to the new train station," said H. James Polos, Executive Director of the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA). "Our unique partnership with NJ TRANSIT has streamlined the project design phase and forged a strong working partnership that will benefit the construction of the train station."

"This project is a significant investment in the safety and resiliency of our rail system, and we're proud that New Brunswick plays a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability of transportation across New Jersey," said New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill. "The Delco Lead Project not only addresses the challenges of extreme weather but also reinforces New Brunswick's position as a central hub for innovation and progress in public infrastructure."

In September 2024, the George Harms Construction Company, Inc., of Howell, New Jersey was awarded the contract - in the amount of $497,977,585.35, plus 10 percent for contingencies - for the reconstruction of four miles of the existing Delco Lead track, and the construction of an adjacent track - approximately one mile long - from County Yard to North Brunswick. County Yard and Delco Lead, due to their location above the floodplain, provide an ideal storage location for rail cars during extreme weather events.

Additionally, the project calls for the construction of a 1,250-foot-long Service and Inspection Facility. The new facility will be used for inspection and light maintenance of trains, spare parts storage, two 12-car inspection tracks, and five 12-car storage tracks. The new facility will allow for the rapid inspection of rail equipment and its timely return to service following an extreme weather event.

In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the County Yard and associated four-mile-long Delco Lead were identified as safe-haven storage locations for rail cars and locomotives as the land and yard are above the floodplain with a minimal number of adjacent trees. Strategically located along the Northeast Corridor, the Delco Lead Project will provide resilient storage for NJ TRANSIT's rail equipment in the event the Meadows Maintenance Complex in Kearny, NJ and Morrisville, PA yard are evacuated.

A crew quarters and employee parking lot at County Yard will also be constructed as part of the project.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 263 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

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