By: Najla Alexander
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced that the PATH Hoboken station will be closed from late evening Jan. 30, 2025, to early morning Feb. 25, 2025, as part of the agency’s two-year, $430 million PATH Forward program.
During the closure, the Port Authority will make critical safety repairs and improvements to several elements of the 116-year-old system.
The full station closure enables the agency to complete track and station work expedited, which would otherwise necessitate severe schedule reductions and service suspensions repetitively over a prolonged period.
Track work will include replacing the in-station track, replacing the track switching network outside the station, and repairing 4,500 linear feet of track leading to the station. Station work will include refurbishing the concrete platform surface and replacing four stairways between the station’s mezzanine and platform levels.
The Port Authority has worked with regional transit partners to provide riders with extensive travel alternatives while work is completed. Those alternatives will include expanded ferry service, frequent shuttle buses to other PATH stations, and supplemental PATH, light rail, and NJ TRANSIT bus service between Hoboken and Manhattan.
“This closure will undoubtedly pose challenges for Hoboken riders, and we recognize the impact it will have on their daily routines,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.
“The PATH system is a vital connection in our region, and this work is crucial to ensuring it remains safe, reliable, and efficient for the thousands who depend on it every day. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our riders as we work to strengthen this essential infrastructure.”
“We recognize that a full station closure is disruptive, but it allows us to fast-track extensive repair work within the station and critical infrastructure around it that otherwise would have involved years of intermittent closures if we performed it piecemeal,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton.
“We are committed to full transparency throughout this process and providing an array of travel alternatives during the closure.”
“PATH is continually striving to create the best possible travel experience for our customers,” said PATH Director/General Manager Clarelle DeGraffe.
“We recognize the inconvenience our customers will experience during this period of essential infrastructure and station rehabilitation, and we appreciate their patience and understanding as we work to make this 116-year-old rail network more reliable.”
Hoboken station is scheduled to close at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30, and reopen at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The full closure enables PATH to simultaneously advance multiple projects. These projects, all included in the PATH Forward program, will improve rail service reliability and the overall passenger experience at Hoboken.
They include:
- Replacement of Hoboken Interlocking and tracks: PATH will replace in-station tracks and the Hoboken Interlocking, the intricate system of tracks and switches that allows all service from two tunnels to access three tracks at the Hoboken station. Without the continuous 25-day outage, this work by itself would require four complete weekend shutdowns due to the scale and location of the interlocking and an additional 50 consecutive days of significantly reduced service levels in and out of Hoboken due to the reduction in station track capacity required to maintain safe operations during the construction.
- Track repair and maintenance work: PATH will repair 4,500 linear feet of track in the two tunnels leading into the station. The continuous 25-day outage prevents a full year of weekend service reductions that would otherwise be required to complete the work.
- Restoration of passenger infrastructure: PATH will replace the concrete walking surfaces in public areas throughout the station and replace four staircases between the station’s mezzanine and platform levels. Performing the most disruptive work during the outage will reduce a 28-weekend timeline of disruption to customers (selective closures, rerouting of passengers, etc.) at Hoboken. The Port Authority coordinated the rehabilitation with the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office and the Hoboken Historic Preservation Commission.
The Port Authority utilized outside expertise in evaluating the PATH system’s needs and potential work schedules. Consultants identified a full station closure as the best option to complete the three projects simultaneously. The Port Authority has also collaborated with outside experts to develop a work plan based on the industry’s best practices. The agency planned the closure for a time of year that traditionally sees lower daily ridership levels.
During the closure, a multitude of travel alternatives will be offered, though customers may still experience crowding and lines. If possible, customers may consider making alternative arrangements around work hours and locations. Additional details on schedules, service frequencies, and fares are available on the project website (http://www.panynj.gov/path/en/path-forward/hoboken-station-closure.html). All alternative travel options are ADA-accessible.
Those alternatives will include:
Cross-honored ferry service:
- Additional peak period service departing every 10 minutes from both Hoboken ferry terminals, the PATH/NJ TRANSIT station terminal and the 14th Street terminal, with service to Manhattan’s Brookfield Place/Battery Park City terminal and Midtown/West 39th Street terminal.
- Expanded NY Waterway crosstown bus service from Midtown/West 39th Street terminal.
- Extended operating hours until 10 p.m. weekdays and 12 a.m. weekends at both Hoboken terminals.
- Additional weekend route, offering service to Midtown/West 39th Street from both Hoboken terminals.
Free PATH shuttle bus service:
- Frequent shuttle buses connecting Hoboken riders to continuing PATH service at Newport and Exchange Pl stations.
Supplemental Bus Service to Enhance NJ TRANSIT’s No. 126 Line:
- NJ TRANSIT to increase the frequency of the No. 126 bus, connecting Hoboken station with the Midtown Bus Terminal.
Supplemental PATH service:
- Additional PATH trains to serve expected additional passengers at Newport and Exchange Pl stations to/from World Trade Center and 33 St. The additional service will result in trains arriving at Newport every two to four minutes and trains arriving at Exchange Pl every five minutes or less during rush hours.
Supplemental NJ TRANSIT Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service:
- NJ TRANSIT will provide additional service on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail weekdays between 6-10 a.m. and 3-7 p.m., connecting riders to/from continuing PATH service at Newport and Exchange Place.