Dec. 4, 2020
By Jessica Cerrito
Staff Writer
In the not too distant future, a new $18.5 million train station will be constructed in Lyndhurst. The station will be at the corner of Delafield and Court Avenues. This location will be closer to the commuter parking lot, which is meant to make it more accessible and convenient for commuters.
The new, fully ADA accessible station will replace the current 107-year-old Lyndhurst Train Station. It will replicate the historic style of the station it is replacing but will also have modern elements. The new station will include two 460-foot long platforms, new stairs, four elevators, lighting, canopies, communication systems and closed-circuit television.
The new station has caught the attention of many commuters including business and technology teacher Mrs. Weckstein, who has been taking the train daily for about two decades. She said it is in extreme need of improvement, especially because it is not handicap accessible.
“It’s old. It’s falling apart. There are no bathrooms. If you’re handicapped, you can’t get to the train, and that’s deplorable,” Weckstein said. “It’s time to replace those stations.”
Weckstein said she is happy about the location of the new station because it is much closer to the NJ Transit parking lot, which means it will be less of a hassle for commuters.
The new, fully ADA accessible station will replace the current 107-year-old Lyndhurst Train Station. It will replicate the historic style of the station it is replacing but also have modern elements. The new station will include two 460-foot long platforms, new stairs, four elevators, lighting, canopies, communication systems and closed-circuit television.
“It is a lot easier for people who are commuting. A lot of people drive their cars, park there and then they have to walk almost two blocks to catch the train,” Weckstein said.
Joseph Alexander, who is a supervisor at NJ Transit, said construction should take about a year-and-a-half to two years with construction anticipated to start in April.
“It should be a brand new building to include an ADA passenger station, which currently Lyndhurst and Kingsland do not have. It will be a high platform, and it will come with elevators,” Alexander said.
Alexander, who is a Lyndhurst resident, said he believes the new train station will have a positive impact on the township.
“People with disabilities will now be able to get on and off and utilize our train service. It should absolutely increase the value of our homes,” Alexander said. “It will obviously be a brand new building and those old ones will be taken down. Those old ones are pretty old and dingy, so the curb appeal will be better.”
Chief of Police Richard Jarvis said, like any type of building project, the construction of the new station will affect traffic.
“I’m hoping that most of the construction will be off the roadway so the streets affected, New York Avenue and Court Avenue, remain passable. Upon completion of the train station, the area will need to be reassessed for any traffic issues by car or pedestrians,” Jarvis said.
Pre-Covid-19, the Lyndhurst station served an average of approximately 1,000 workday passenger trips.
“We already have two stations, the Kingsland Station and the Lyndhurst Station. I believe the number of commuters would be about the same, so as far as an increase in crime, I don’t believe it to be an issue,” Jarvis said.
He said the new station will be a welcome change because it will be aesthetically pleasing and ADA compliant.
“As a resident, I believe the train station will be extremely welcoming by commuters as well as our township residents,” said Jarvis.
