South Amboy Train Station 2015 *Photo submitted

Press Release 2/2/22

SOUTH AMBOY – Imagine a typical summer night in the city.

But when commuters pour off the NJ Transit train to head home, they are given pause. That’s because the area in front of the train station is suddenly alive with an outdoor concert, or an art show or a food festival.

The sky is the limit, as the city has received $180,000 in state “transit village” funding to create a vibrant public space at the train station, 140 North Broadway.

City officials are planning to construct a fixed canopy, powered with lights and electricity to host a multitude of events when the weather gets warmer.

The uses are virtually endless, as the spot could serve as the grandstand for the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade or serve as a live theater or a place for a communal meal.

City officials say the funding arrived through the support of the 19th District state legislators, Sen. Joe Vitale, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez.

“Our designation as a Transit Village has allowed us to sustain steady long-term growth,” explained South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry. “The continued support from the state Department of Transportation through grant programs like this have allowed us to continue that success.

 “Strong support from Senator Vitale, Assembly Speaker Coughlin and Assemblywoman Lopez has helped make funding like this possible and allows us to continually improve our mass transit facilities,” the mayor added.

City officials are eager to break ground on this project and have it open for residents to enjoy later this year. The canopy will feature six columns and will be designed to blend into the character of the train station as a seamless amenity.

The funding was earmarked through $3.8 million in fiscal ’22 Transit Village grants, assisting 14 municipalities to advance their transit-oriented development projects.

“We continue to explore ways in which we can make the South Amboy Train Station more pedestrian-friendly and accessible in creative ways,” Coughlin said. “This state funding is the latest step in our efforts to design a more convenient and walkable community along Broadway.”

The South Amboy station underwent a substantial renovation from November 2006 through January 2010. A new $4.8 million pedestrian overpass was constructed, allowing safe transfers across the two tracks at the station, followed by a $29 million overhaul that replaced the two original low-level side platforms with a new ADA-accessible high-level island platform. The work included reconstruction of the station building.