Newark Broad Street station

Newark Broad Street station

Company type	Commuter rail and light rail station
Industry	Transportation
Founded	1903
Headquarters	Newark, New Jersey , United States
Products	Rail transport services
Website	www.njtransit.com

Newark Broad Street station serves as a New Jersey Transit hub for both commuter rail and light rail services, situated at 25 University Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. Constructed in 1903, the facility is distinguished by its classic architectural design, featuring a prominent clock tower and a brick-and-stone exterior. Due to its historical importance, the station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1984.

History

This location has hosted two stations over time. The initial station commenced operations on November 19, 1836, positioned at the eastern terminus of the inaugural segment of the Morris and Essex Railroad extending to Orange. At that time, trains traveling eastward from Newark utilized the New Jersey Rail Road route to reach Jersey City. The current structure was completed in 1903 after a construction period lasting two years and sat on the main line of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, which connected Hoboken to points such as Denville, Scranton, and Buffalo. The opening of the Newark Drawbridge, which spans the Passaic River and links directly to the station, also occurred in 1903. Expansion toward the west continued with the debut of Hoboken Terminal, now serving as the line’s eastern terminus, in 1907. In 1945, the Morris and Essex Railroad was formally integrated into the Lackawanna Railroad after being leased since 1868. Subsequently, DL&W merged with the Erie Railroad in 1960 to create the Erie Lackawanna Railroad. This entity was absorbed by Conrail in 1976; passenger services have been operated by NJ Transit since 1983.

Throughout its history, the station accommodated various passenger trains from both Lackawanna and Erie Lackawanna lines such as the Lake Cities, Owl/New York Mail, Twilight/Pocono Express, and DLW’s premier service Phoebe Snow. Nevertheless, all long-distance passenger routes ceased by 1970.

The station building is recognized on both the state-level New Jersey Register of Historic Places and federally on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also included within the scope of the Operating Passenger Railroad Stations Thematic Resource.

Renovation

From 2004 through 2008, extensive refurbishment took place at the station. The original configuration of two low side platforms with pedestrian crossings over one track was replaced by two elevated platforms, incorporating an island platform to facilitate easier cross-platform transfers. The historic shelter on the westbound side was removed and substituted with modern waiting facilities.

Proposed Scranton–New York City line

In 2023, plans were introduced for a new Amtrak route connecting Scranton to New York, anticipated to draw approximately half a million passengers annually by 2030. This service aims for operating speeds up to 110 mph. Newark Broad Street would serve as the closest stop to New York’s Penn Station, with additional stops planned at either Morristown or Montclair, contingent upon timetable arrangements.

Station configuration and transit options

Broad Street Station accommodates the Montclair–Boonton Line along with both branches of the Morris and Essex Lines—namely the Morristown Line and the Gladstone Branch. These rail services proceed toward Secaucus Junction before reaching either New York Penn Station or conclude their routes at Hoboken.

Additionally, the station functions as the northern endpoint for the Newark Light Rail Broad Street Extension, which links to Newark Penn Station. This extension began operations on July 17, 2006. In 2008, light rail operations were temporarily halted following a partial structural failure of the neighboring former Westinghouse manufacturing facility during demolition work. This light rail connection enables efficient transfers between commuter rail services and Newark Penn Station, enhancing passenger convenience and minimizing the need for bus or taxi transfers.

External links

• Official website at NJ Transit