New Brunswick Train Station Modernization Will Start Later This Fall

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — NJ Transit and the Middlesex County Improvement Authority will begin a series of upgrades to the New Brunswick train station later this fall.

The biggest change is NJ Transit will build a new ticket center across the street from the train station, which will have its own elevator up to the train platforms.

But that is the second phase of the project. First, Transit will make improvements to the sidewalk and exterior work along Easton Avenue and Albany Street.

NJ Transit will also do renovations to the westbound and eastbound platforms, modernize the train station waiting room and renovate the existing pedestrian walkway under the station. There are other improvements coming that riders won't notice, such as improving the train tracks and systems within the building.

The New Brunswick train station already got new elevators and escalators in 2022 and 2024 (the old ones frequently broke).

The project is currently out for bid, with construction expected to begin in late fall 2025. The expectation is that all construction will be done in 2028, said Middlesex County. The total cost of the work is $70 million.

The train station makeover comes as Rutgers and the state of New Jersey work to open the HELIX, a five-acre science/tech/"innovation campus" currently under construction across the street. The HELIX will be the new home of Rutgers Medical School and the brand-new Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center. Nokia Bell Labs and Tel Aviv University are also confirmed as tenants.

The HELIX is currently looking for more tenants to move in.

“As the HELIX brings thousands of innovators to our state-of-the-art hub at the heart of Rutgers’ campus, we will meet this influx of workers with safe, modern and reliable transportation," said Gov. Phil Murphy at a press conference Tuesday at the train station.

The New Brunswick train station is one of NJ Transit's busiest along its Northeast Corridor line. There is also a growing dining and cultural scene in New Brunswick, said Middlesex County.

"New Brunswick serves thousands of riders each day and supports the local businesses responsible for our region’s growth,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “I am proud of the steps we are taking to modernize the New Brunswick station today."

This is the first major renovation done to the New Brunswick station in its 120-year history. Rutgers is also now the official sponsor of the train station, so riders will see Rutgers signage more prominently at the station.

For more information and to follow the progress of the renovations at the New Brunswick train station, visit middlesexcountynj.gov/newbrunswicktrain