Mount Arlington station
| Company type | Commuter rail facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | January 16, 1854 |
| Headquarters | Mount Arlington , United States |
Area served | Commuters to Hoboken Terminal and New York Penn Station |
| Products | Rail and bus transit services |
| Owner | NJ Transit |
Mount Arlington—also referred to as the Howard Boulevard Park and Ride—is a commuter rail facility managed by NJ Transit situated within the borough of Mount Arlington, New Jersey, Morris County, New Jersey. Positioned next to interchange 30 on Interstate 80, this station functions as a park-and-ride location catering to commuters heading toward Hoboken Terminal and New York Penn Station. It is served by both the Montclair–Boonton Line and the Morristown Line, which link Hackettstown with destinations to the east. In addition, bus services operated by Lakeland Bus Lines are available at this site. The station comprises two side platforms, two tracks, elevator access, and is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 standards.
Rail operations in Mount Arlington commenced on January 16, 1854, following the extension of the Morris and Essex Railroad from Dover to Hackettstown. The initial station, known as Drakesville, was situated approximately half a mile west of where the current station stands. On July 1, 1891, the station was renamed Mount Arlington, coinciding with the opening of a new facility that same year. Passenger train service was discontinued on November 8, 1942, with operations consolidated at nearby Lake Hopatcong station in Landing.
Construction of the current Mount Arlington station began on June 12, 2006, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony led by then-Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R-NJ). This project integrated with an existing park-and-ride area located on Howard Boulevard (CR 615). Although initially planned for a 2007 launch, the station officially started service on January 21, 2008.
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad era
Mount Arlington was previously home to a Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad station that replaced the earlier Drakesville station in Ledgewood, originally opened on January 16, 1854. The Drakesville station was destroyed by fire on February 19, 1867. In 1891, the railroad ceased operations at Drakesville when it constructed a new Mount Arlington station roughly half a mile eastward. The former Drakesville building was repurposed as a private residence. Facilities at Mount Arlington included a passenger depot measuring 20 by 74 feet, a freight house sized at 15 by 40 feet, a bunkhouse for railroad workers, and a siding extending 386 feet.
The Mount Arlington station was closed to passengers on November 8, 1942.
NJ Transit development
NJ Transit initially evaluated plans for establishing a new train stop in Mount Arlington during the fall of 1997. Although these plans were initially shelved, they resurfaced in February 1998 with proposals for constructing both a train station and park-and-ride facility at the Howard Boulevard interchange on Interstate 80 aimed at alleviating traffic congestion. By May 1998, federal funding under the Transportation Efficiency Act was secured, allowing comprehensive design efforts to commence in October. The estimated $4.5 million project included two parking areas: one costing $1.5 million providing 250 spaces and another planned lot accommodating 500 spaces adjacent to the future platform. Construction was anticipated to begin in spring 2001.
Despite highway widening initiatives, congestion along Interstate 80 had worsened by July 2001. NJ Transit projected that expenses for the new station could exceed $7 million, with the smaller parking lot estimated at $2.3 million. Work on constructing park-and-ride facilities started in September 2001 under contractor Tilcon Inc., targeting completion by December but encountering delays due to drainage system approvals. By February 2002, drainage installations were underway with expectations for the 235-space lot to open by April 1.
The Howard Boulevard Park and Ride officially commenced operations on July 1, 2002, serviced by Lakeland Bus Lines providing routes into Manhattan including stops at Port Authority Bus Terminal. Officials anticipated beginning train station construction in 2004 with an estimated budget of $8 million.
A U.S. Senate appropriation allocated $11 million for transit projects within Morris County; $2.2 million of this was earmarked for Mount Arlington station with hopes for additional funding later on. On December 8, 2004, NJ Transit announced that construction would begin on a federally funded $7 million project—secured through Representative Rodney P. Frelinghuysen—to expand parking capacity to 305 spaces by 2007. While local speculation suggested that Lake Hopatcong station in Roxbury Township might close due to this development, NJ Transit confirmed its continued operation.
On April 12, 2006, NJ Transit’s Board approved a $12.1 million contract for building the new station. Groundbreaking took place on June 12 featuring an artificial stone structure topped with a clock tower and displays honoring local history such as the Morris Canal, Bertrand Island Amusement Park, and Lake Hopatcong. Parking capacity plans were revised from an original target of 307 spaces down to 285; construction began June 19 aiming for completion by November 2007. Platforms were designed to measure approximately 285 feet in length.
By December 2006, an under-track pedestrian tunnel had been installed; by October of the following year clock tower installation along with lighting and railings were completed with illumination added shortly thereafter. By November construction was reported as nearly complete at about ninety-five percent. On December 19, 2007 NJ Transit announced that Mount Arlington station would open January 21, 2008. The mayor confirmed that "Mount Arlington station" would be used officially rather than earlier suggestions such as "Route 80/Howard Boulevard Intermodal Terminal."
The inauguration event held January 20, 2008 drew over three hundred attendees who filled parking facilities requiring shuttle service from nearby hotels. Dignitaries including Congressman Frelinghuysen and Mayor Art Ondish participated; Ondish mentioned potential plans for establishing local jitney services to improve connectivity to the station.
Station layout
Situated at the intersection of Howard Boulevard (County Route 615) and exit 30 of Interstate 80, Mount Arlington station includes two elevated side platforms linked by an underpass plaza. This plaza contains one ticket vending machine and provides elevator access to both platforms. Adjacent to the station is a complimentary parking area managed by NJ Transit, accessible from Howard Boulevard, offering 281 parking spaces, seven of which are designated for individuals with disabilities. The station also serves as a connection point for Lakeland Bus Lines routes 46 and 80.
Service at Mount Arlington station is available only on weekdays, with no regular weekend trains except during holiday periods.