(Camden, NJ) – The $250 million Walter Rand Transportation Center Improvement Project continues to progress as the it enters Phase 2. This next phase aims to finalize the concept plan and bring the project up to 30% design.
The vision for the project is to replace and expand the transportation center, that was originally constructed in 1989, to keep up with the growth happening throughout Camden County.
“The Walter Rand Transportation Center serves as a main point of transportation from the city of Camden to surrounding areas across Camden County and beyond, such as Trenton, Philadelphia and Gloucester County,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “Every single day, thousands of travelers pass through the building and use these services so redeveloping this community asset is critically important and seeing the project move into its next phase is a sign of great progress for our region.”
The new hub will better accommodate the 26 bus lines that serve the facility; provide improved connectivity with the PATCO Speedline subway and the River LINE light rail; support intercity independent bus services; and provide additional parking, administrative offices, and retail opportunities to the adjacent areas.
“The Walter Rand Transportation Center is a vital community resource, not just for Camden City but for the entire region of South Jersey,” said Camden City Mayor Victor Carstarphen. “Thousands of people each and every day utilize the center’s services to get to work, school, appointments, or just to visit family or friends. Entering the next phase of this project is exciting as it just gets us one step closer to a new and improved transportation center.”
Congressman Donald Norcross talked about the important role the transportation center plays in the lives of residents.
“The Walter Rand Transportation Center is a vital link for our South Jersey communities and neighbors who rely on public transportation every day,” Congressman Donald Norcross said. “This investment will transform and revitalize this major transit hub and provide safe and reliable public transportation that is essential to South Jersey families. I applaud the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors for approving the second phase of this project that will create jobs, improve our public transportation, and keep our economy moving.”
The Walter Rand Transportation Center is the largest multi-modal transportation hub in South Jersey. It is currently home to services for 26 NJ TRANSIT bus lines, a station of the NJ TRANSIT River LINE light rail, a station of the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) Speedline subway, and a shuttle stop for the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA). The center also has 450 parking spaces and administrative offices.
Senator Nilsa I. Cruz Perez, Assemblyman William F. Moen Jr., Assemblyman William W. Spearman (D – Camden/Gloucester) discussed the impact the redevelopment project will have on the city and the county.
“This week, NJ TRANSIT announced the initiation of Phase 2 of the Walter Rand Transportation Center (WRTC) Improvement Project. This project will not only improve the services offered by NJ TRANSIT in our region, but it will also be a huge driver in Camden’s — and our region’s — economic success,” Cruz-Perez, Moen and Spearman said in a joint statement. “We would like to thank the NJ TRANSIT’s Board of Directors for moving this crucial project along, and we look forward to the revitalization that it will bring to Camden City and the surrounding region.”