Toll of Commuting: North Brunswick making progress on new train station
The largest gap between Northeast Corridor stations is the 14 miles between Jersey Avenue in New Brunswick and Princeton Junction. The planned train station in North Brunswick will offer a new way of travel for those stuck in the middle.
New Jersey's train stations are mapped out strategically.
The largest gap between Northeast Corridor stations is the 14 miles between Jersey Avenue in New Brunswick and Princeton Junction.
The planned train station in North Brunswick will offer a new way of travel for those stuck in the middle.
"It's going to make it easier and good for our people who are right here in town,” said North Brunswick Mayor Mack Womack. “But people who are across in Franklin and a little bit more west will have an easier way to get right here, get on this train and head into the city or wherever they need to go."
The North Brunswick train station was first proposed more than 15 years ago. Back in 2017, the state Legislature approved $50 million for the project. Today, the station is more than 60% designed and approaching construction.
It aims to reduce traffic along busy Route 1, while also offering new places to live and shop as the nearby "transit village" begins to take shape.
"We're between Princeton and Rutgers. We're in a smart area,” Womack said. “Smart people need a good, smart place to live with bars, with shops, with good housing. I like to call it 'Hoboken South,' or 'Princeton North,' however you want to look at it."
The 13 minutes it takes to get from Jersey Avenue to Princeton Junction is the longest of any stretch of the Northeast Corridor. It takes a half an hour if driving - that's a lot of potential customers who could reduce their toll of commuting.
“The people of North Brunswick have been patient,” Womack said. “We're proud that we're going to be able to be a part of a region that is so dynamic, and the train station is going to make us a central part of that.”
