$300 million in federal funding awarded for nj transit, are we finally getting clean windows?

TRENTON, N.J. — The Federal Railroad Administration has allocated $300 million to improve Amtrak infrastructure that serves NJ Transit, marking a significant investment in the nation’s busiest rail corridor. The funding, announced Thursday, will be directed toward enhancing reliability for NJ Transit riders and modernizing infrastructure shared with Amtrak, including components that are over a century old.

Governor Phil Murphy said the funding will enable critical upgrades to the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor, which links New Jersey and New York. The improvements are expected to include modernization of aging catenary wire systems that power trains and often experience failures.

“This $300 million in grant funding from the Federal Railroad Administration will bring needed enhancements to Amtrak’s infrastructure, which will improve reliability for NJ Transit riders and will also be transformational for Penn Station,” Murphy said in a statement, calling the station “the gateway between New Jersey and New York.”

Murphy emphasized that state investments alone could not meet the demands of shared rail infrastructure and credited the Biden administration and congressional leaders for their efforts to secure the funding.

The grant is part of broader federal initiatives to modernize critical infrastructure across the country. Officials say the upgrades will increase train speed and capacity along the corridor, which supports thousands of daily commuters.

The governor’s office did not mention whether or not NJ Transit trains will finally get clear and clean windows passengers can see out of.

Here’s what NJ Transit had to say recently:

NJ Transit has announced a plan to replace cloudy train windows across its fleet, aiming to address an issue that has affected rider experience on its rail network. The cloudiness, which reduces visibility and detracts from the overall ride, is caused by long-term wear on the single-pane polycarbonate windows commonly used in transit systems.

The problem stems from the degradation of polycarbonate material over time, NJ Transit said in a statement. Factors such as ultraviolet light exposure, frequent cleaning, and extreme weather conditions have contributed to the windows’ foggy or hazy appearance. Scratches and abrasions, combined with the expansion and contraction of materials due to temperature changes, exacerbate the issue.

To resolve the problem, NJ Transit has ordered 400 replacement windows, with installations set to begin in the coming months. “Our maintenance teams are performing a full assessment of all windows in the fleet, identifying those in need of immediate replacement and planning for future replacements as part of ongoing maintenance cycles,” the agency stated.

The new windows are designed to provide high optical clarity and enhanced resistance to UV light, scratches, and other forms of wear. They are also virtually unbreakable, ensuring durability while improving the aesthetic and functional quality of rail cars.

NJ Transit acknowledged the impact of cloudy windows on the rider experience and assured commuters that the replacements are part of broader efforts to enhance service quality. The initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to improving comfort and reliability for its passengers.

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