Port Authority Opens New $47.2M Accessible Station House at PATH Harrison Station

On Feb 21, 2024

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today marked the completion of a new $47.2 million station house at the Harrison stop on the PATH commuter rail in the latest step toward the Port Authority’s multi-facility modernization of the regional transit hub.

The newly built 3,200-square-foot station house is open to the public as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. It features new amenities such as an elevator; a public plaza with seating; 82 bicycle parking spots along a 17,800-square-foot concourse; and a dedicated turnstile that accepts TAPP, PATH’s new contactless tap-and-go fare payment. Other turnstiles in the station house continue to accept existing PATH fare payment systems such as SmartLink and MetroCard. The station house replacement project was funded partly by a $40.7 million Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant.

The original station house, built in 1936, had become outmoded and outdated by modern transportation needs and was razed to make way for a more modern and accessible replacement. The new facility was built with particular focus on resiliency and sustainability in adherence to the Port Authority’s rigorous standards. It was designed with enhanced flood protection from the nearby Passaic River, with the station house’s first level located above the flood plain. Water runoff will be collected and stored in water retention tanks for landscape irrigation.

“Today’s announcement marks yet another milestone in the comprehensive modernization of our regional transportation system,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “I applaud the Port Authority for the forward-thinking lens through which this project was conceived. Combining state-of-the-art technology with sustainable and resilient practices will ensure New Jersey commuters have a first-rate mode of transportation to get where they need to go while benefiting our regional economy as a whole.”

“The PATH commuter rail has fueled the economic growth and development of Harrison and its nearby communities into a desirable residential area and a hub of activity by providing easy access to businesses and cultural landmarks,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “The Port Authority’s $256 million investment in Harrison is yielding benefits far and wide for this community as more people discover this not-so-hidden gem as a destination and a great place to live.”

“Our $256 million investment in the PATH Harrison station complex has turned an outmoded nearly-century old facility into an ultra-modern 21st century transit hub accessible to everyone,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This expansion of the Harrison station that we are opening today advances our commitment to providing a modern 21st century customer experience at Port Authority facilities.”

The new station house is the latest step forward in the Port Authority’s $256 million transformation of the sprawling PATH Harrison station complex as a vital transportation hub in the region. The new facility located at the southwest corner of the Harrison station complex provides safe pedestrian access for the Harrison station without the need to cross the busy Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard. It complements a station house in the northeast section of the complex completed in 2018, and a second station house that opened in 2019 in the complex’s southeast section.

The expansion and modernization of the Harrison station complex was conceived as the town of Harrison’s development and population increased sharply in recent years, driven by quick and easy PATH service to and from New York City. In addition to service on the PATH Newark-World Trade Center line, the station provides connections to NJ TRANSIT buses, vehicle parking for commuters who wish to park and ride, and safe and secure free-to-use bicycle parking. At its peak, the station served 2.6 million passengers in pre-pandemic 2019, and has since rebounded to more than 1.7 million passengers in 2023.

In developing the new station house, PATH retained the original 1936 structure’s rich history and legacy by preserving and showcasing the original signage and numerous artifacts from the previous building. These include the installation of an interpretative display and a striking black-and-white aerial map in an area outside the entrance; bronze station signage letters; a Pennsylvania Railroad keystone, and a directional mosaic tile sign.

The Port Authority’s $256 million investment at Harrison encompasses extensive renovations, the three new station houses to improve egress, and the construction of a new substation that now powers the entire Harrison station complex. The new substation, which has been operational for a year, ensures a dedicated power source for the large complex and was built to the agency’s stringent sustainability standards.

“Mass transit is critical for New Jersey families helping to get students to and from school and parents to and from work,” said New Jersey Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz. “This new PATH facility in Harrison provides the safety and security that this community deserves and will create a cycle of economic development that will help New Jersey communities thrive.”

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