The small town of Harrison, NJ used to be known as just an industrial center but, according to the New York Times, it could now be the new Hoboken. Harrison has been re-inventing itself and now it will be a major commuter hub for travel in to New York City due to the opening of the new PATH station.

Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is a 13.8 mile rapid transit system connecting northeastern New Jersey cities with Low and Midtown Manhattan. The decaying station in Harrison was originally built in 1936 and no longer met the needs of the community. Long lines outside in the unprotected elements left much to be desired at the station. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey awarded the construction management contract of the PATH Harrison station in 2013. The state-of-the-art eastbound station opened on June 15, 2019 and completed the second phase of the $256 million redevelopment project.

The design of the new station houses, reconfigures and significantly enhances public access to the platforms. PATH Harrison is airy, promoting a clarity of circulation. Glass and steel roof canopies protect passengers from inclement weather on the new, elevated platforms. Sustainability, safety, and protection for future generations were important to this project. The station was designed to PANYNJ Sustainable Building Guidelines, LEED Silver equivalent, and is designed to respond to new FEMA projects for flood elevation.

The opening of the Harrison Station comes at a time when PATH continues to experience significant ridership growth. In 2018, PATH handled more than 81.7 million passengers. Harrison ridership itself has risen 30 percent over the past six years, from just over 2 million in 2012 to more than 2.6 million in 2018. PATH’s station development is a critical part of the broader commercial and real estate development occurring across Harrison, from new residential building to the Red Bull Arena soccer stadium and enhanced public spaces.

Hot-dip galvanizing was selected for the steel used in the station because of its durability and life cycle costs as well as its sustainability in an urban environment. The hot-dip galvanizer designated for the project had to meet a tight turnaround schedule and deliver a top-quality finish. The specifier selected the galvanizer used for this project based on historical accountability on large projects and the ability to handle any expeditious scheduling requirements needed throughout the project. The galvanizer, fabricator, and erector worked together to deliver a quality product. To “top” things off, the galvanized steel was painted to enhance the visual appeal so passengers will be able to enjoy not only the ride to their destination but the PATH experience as well.