A month-long $31 million infrastructure project will take the Hoboken PATH station out of commission from 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25. The undertaking is part of two-year $430 million PATH Forward program launch by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ).
“The PATH system is a lifeline for thousands of commuters, and we understand the significant impact this closure will have on Hoboken riders,” said PANYNJ Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This critical work is necessary to ensure the PATH system remains safe and reliable for years to come. With the closure coming later this week, we encourage riders to review the alternate travel options we’ve made available and plan ahead to minimize disruption during this essential work.”
A critical commuter link connecting Hoboken to Jersey City, Manhattan, and Newark, work on the 117-year-old system includes replacing in-station tracks and repairing 4,500 linear feet of track leading to the station. The concrete platforms will be refurbished and stairways replaced, PANYNJ said in a statement.
“Our focus is on making this temporary disruption at Hoboken as manageable as possible by offering clear options and strong support throughout the process,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “With just days to go, we want every rider to be aware of the travel alternatives we’ve put in place. We appreciate riders’ understanding that doing this work all at once allows us to expedite critical repairs and upgrades, while taking significantly less time than it would have otherwise.”
PANYNJ collaborated with regional transportation partners to help 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.
“The goal at PATH is to deliver a safer, more reliable travel experience for every rider,” said PATH Director/General Manager Clarelle DeGraffe. “While we know the upcoming station closure may be challenging, we’re working hard to ensure riders have the information they need about other travel options. We’re grateful for their patience as we complete these vital infrastructure upgrades to better serve them in the future.”
“We are ready to assist Hoboken PATH customers by providing additional resources that will complement PATH’s established alternate travel options to ensure their journeys remains as smooth as possible,” said NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri. “Collaboration between regional transit agencies is essential to keeping our communities connected, and we’re pleased to play a role in supporting PATH customers during this period.”
“We’re pleased to partner with PATH to provide continued, convenient service for commuters to and from Manhattan during this construction period,” said NY Waterway President and CEO Armand Pohan. “We share a commitment to ensuring safe, reliable and pleasant travel experiences for all of our ferry passengers.”
Full repairs 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 have required 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 customer disruption such as selective closures or rerouting of passengers 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 simultaneously complete the three projects. The Port Authority has also collaborated with outside experts to develop a work plan based on industry best practices. The agency planned the closure during a time of year that traditionally sees lower daily ridership levels.
“We are excited to partner with the Port Authority to provide essential bus bridge service during the Hoboken PATH construction,” said Charter Linkz Managing Partner Joseph Lucci. “Charter Linkz ownership and our entire team fully recognized the significance of this project and are committed to delivering safe, reliable service that minimizes the impact of the shutdown for commuters.”
During the closure, a multitude of travel alternatives will be offered, though customers may still experience crowding and lines. Customers may consider making alternative arrangements around work hours and locations if possible. Additional details on schedules, service frequencies and fares are available on the project website. 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 via the Brookfield Place/Battery Park City terminal and via 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.
- See here for more details.
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 frequency of the No. 126 bus route, 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 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m., connecting riders to/from continuing PATH service at Newport and Exchange Pl.
To stay up to date, riders are strongly encouraged to use the free-to-download RidePATH app, which is available from the Apple and Google Play app stores; visit the project site specific to the Hoboken closure or for information on the overall PATH Forward program, visit the PATH Forward website; sign up for alerts, or follow PATH on social media.
The station closure is the next major phase of the Port Authority’s two-year PATH Forward program. The program encompasses a series of projects including comprehensive track repair and replacement, modernization of bridges, railcars and other critical infrastructure, and rehabilitation of four major stations: Hoboken, Grove St, Newport, and Exchange Pl.
The program began with rehabilitation work at the Grove St station in 2024, replacing floor tiles, patching and repainting work, refinishing platform columns and installing LED lighting and electrical wiring. The weekend Grove St station bypasses associated with this PATH Forward work concluded ahead of schedule.
About the Hoboken PATH Station
Architect Kenneth Murchison (1872-1938) designed the Hoboken Terminal in 1907 in the Beaux-Arts style that was often used for public buildings. The PANYNJ acquired the PATH system in 1962 as part of a broader acquisition of original operator Hudson & Manhattan Railroad (H&M).
