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On track? A behind-the-scenes look at the Hoboken PATH station renovations.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Feb 18, 2025
Modified Feb 27, 2025
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Courtesy of the Port Authority
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Feb 18, 2025
Modified Feb 27, 2025
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Commuters who rely on PATH’s Hoboken station are being promised a quicker, more reliable commute now that brand new rails, wider staircases and a massive – and more complex – track switch have been installed during the popular transit hub's weekslong shutdown.
Workers use a track jack to lock new rail into place on top of newly laid ties. Behind them, elements of the station’s intricate interlocking system are visible, the Port Authority says.
Courtesy of the Port Authority
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey shared photos and footage on Tuesday showing everything – from the walls of the station to its track beds – stripped bare during the first two weeks of construction.
During the first week of the closure, crews removed the aging Hoboken Interlocking switch and began installing a modernized switch system, according to the Port Authority.
Courtesy of the Port Authority
Footage of the construction offered a behind-the-scenes look for the tens of thousands of daily commuters left to find alternative ways to travel between Manhattan and New Jersey as the station shut down for most of the month.
While the platform level already showcases the station’s new white and Lackawanna Green color scheme, crews are stripping old paint from the mezzanine’s ceiling and columns to prepare for a fresh coat.
Courtesy of the Port Authority
Transit officials said the drastic decision to completely shut down the transit hub for several weeks would allow them to complete a year’s worth of construction in just 25 days.
A worker installs a protective guard along the platform edge, adding an extra layer of reinforcement for the concrete surface, according to the Port Authority.
Courtesy of the Port Authority
The Port Authority said it has crews working around the clock to complete the renovations in time. New changes to the station also include a wider, steel staircase and a fresh paint job of white and Lackawanna Green.
Crews work on installing one of four new staircases that will connect the mezzanine to the platform level. The Port Authority says these wider, steel staircases will replace the station’s original steep and narrow concrete steps, which date back 117 years.
Courtesy of the Port Authority
The closure is part of Port Authority’s two-year plan to give the 116-year-old PATH system a major $430 million facelift.
After the track is laid, crews use a track jack to precisely align the rail before fastening it in place. The Port Authority says maintaining the correct gauge—the space between rails—is crucial for safe train operations, as even a slight deviation can cause operational issues.
Courtesy of the Port Authority
Construction, which began two weeks after the fare increased from $2.75 to $3 for single rides, is expected to reopen at 5 a.m. on Feb. 25.
A worker manually guides a section of rail into place, preparing it to be secured onto the newly installed track ties, the Port Authority says.
Courtesy of the Port Authority
Buses, ferry rides – and even Uber – have been touted as alternative travel options for people who typically use the Hoboken site to get around.
Workers carefully position new rail onto freshly installed ties and fasteners just outside the station tunnel, according to the Port Authority.
Courtesy of the Port Authority
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the cost of renovations for the PATH.
Tagged
new jersey
transportation
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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