Station linking River Line, A.C. line to open in October

PENNSAUKEN The new $40 million train station in Pennsauken is slated to open next month to link the River Line and the Atlantic City line.

The multilevel Pennsauken Transit Center, near Derousse Avenue west of River Road, will allow direct transfers between trains on the east-west Atlantic City Rail Line and the north-south River Line.

Pennsauken Township Manager Ed Grochowski said Oct. 13 "is the date we're being told," although NJ Transit spokesman John Durso Jr. said Monday that "we have not finalized rail schedules, and a start date has not yet been finalized."

The New Jersey Association of Rail Passengers also announced Oct. 13 as the station's opening date in its monthly newsletter. Local artist J. Kenneth Leap, who created glass-encased art for the station facade, said the opening is scheduled for Oct. 14, the Columbus Day holiday.

The connection will provide additional access for area residents to 30th Street Station, Atlantic City, and the River Line's service between Camden and Trenton.

NJ Transit buses also will serve the station. Federal stimulus funds are paying for the project.

The station has a 200-foot platform with a 60-foot canopy along the light-rail River Line, and two 300-foot-long, high-level platforms have been built on either side of the elevated Atlantic City Line tracks, with stairs and elevators connecting the two levels.

Parking for 280 vehicles has been built in front of the station.

NJ Transit officials hope the station will boost ridership on the underused Atlantic City Line, which operates from Philadelphia with stops in Cherry Hill, Lindenwold, Atco, Hammonton, Egg Harbor City, and Absecon.

The River Line, which opened in 2004, makes 20 stops in towns along the Delaware River.

pnussbaum@phillynews.com

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