The Hoboken PATH station reopened at 5 a.m. Tuesday after shutting down for 25 days for massive repairs.
About 20,000 daily riders were forced to alter their commutes beginning Jan. 31, while workers made significant track replacements and upgraded the station itself.
“We welcome riders back to a revitalized Hoboken station, where the closure has enabled a huge amount of refurbishment,” Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said. “We appreciate the patience and flexibility that our riders have shown during this closure.”
Hoboken PATH riders were treated to free rides Tuesday morning as a token of appreciation, the Port Authority said.
The project involved laying 4,500 feet of new track leading into Hoboken station, along with replacing tracks, switches and signals for the intricate Hoboken Interlocking system south of the station.
Port Authority leaders said the alternative to closing the station for 25 straight days was a full year of weekend service reductions and weekday disruptions for multiple weeks.
“The Hoboken station and the PATH system itself turn 117 years old this week, highlighting both its enduring importance in our transit network and its need for continued investment and care,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said.
In addition to the infrastructure work, workers also replaced four staircases inside Hoboken station and gave it new tiles, lighting and signage, plus a fresh coat of paint. Further work included cleaning debris, salt and chemicals out of the station leftover from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which flooded Hoboken.
Rotating crews worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the 25-day closure, according to the Port Authority. Bus service and additional ferry service provided alternatives for commuters. However, the special $3 PATH ferry tickets people received expired overnight and are not refundable.
“We thank our riders for their patience and our regional transit partners for their coordination over the last 25 days,” O’Toole said. “The critical infrastructure upgrades we’ve delivered thanks to this work will provide a more reliable commute for years to come.”
