Gottheimer Secures $500,000 in Federal Funds to Protect Future Andover Train Station on Lackawanna Railway
Transit Security Grant Program money will pay for cameras, fencing and barriers at the planned park-and-ride site as the project’s next phase begins
ANDOVER, NJ – At the future site of the Andover station on Friday, October 2, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced $500,000 in clawed-back federal dollars, secured through the Transit Security Grant Program, to improve security and safety at the planned park-and-ride station. The station is a key part of the effort to restore the Lackawanna Cut-off railway, with the goal of service from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Hoboken and on to New York City.
“There are zero options for folks in Sussex County to make their lives easier and get on a train to get to work or see a family member, and that has to change,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’ve clawed back $500,000 in new federal funding from Washington to Jersey, secured through the Transit Security Grant Program, to strengthen safety and security at Andover Train Station for the families and commuters who, ultimately, will count on it every day. This funding helps harden this site as the next phase of the project gets underway.”
[Watch Gottheimer’s full remarks here.]
Why security funding is needed
The Andover site has already seen unauthorized access to the tunnel, including damage to or displacement of the measures meant to keep people out. The new funds can pay for security cameras, fencing, gates, barriers and other protective measures. This is permanent capital infrastructure that will remain with the station and protect the public investment already made.
Where the project stands
- Tunnel work: Construction is complete, with final details finished in June 2025. No construction activity has taken place at the site since.
- Funding: The project has $94 million in resources against an estimated total cost of $112.5 million. NJ TRANSIT plans to cover the gap of about $19 million with state Transportation Trust Fund dollars and toll credits.
- Timeline (all targets): Design and engineering scope finished by the end of October; design contractor on board by the end of 2026; design begins January 2027 and is targeted for completion in January 2028, followed by construction bidding; station construction targeted for completion in August 2031, with passenger service to follow.
Why it matters for commuters
Every day, 28,000 people commute between Northeast Pennsylvania, Northern New Jersey and New York. Sussex County has the longest average commute of any New Jersey county, at 38 minutes, and Vernon Township has been ranked as having the state’s worst commutes. Since 2011, New Jersey commute times have risen 8.8 percent.
Expanded rail service would also mean fewer cars on the road, reducing emissions, highway congestion, and transportation costs and delays. According to Amtrak’s Corridor Vision plan, released in May 2021, extending service to Scranton could generate about $87 million in annual economic activity, plus $2.9 billion in one-time economic impact from construction along the corridor.
Gottheimer’s record on Northwest Jersey rail
- 2018: Sent a letter urging NJ TRANSIT to let the community upgrade a railway culvert; NJ TRANSIT agreed soon after.
- 2021: Helped write and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included $102 billion in total rail investment.
- 2022: Rallied state and local officials to push NJ TRANSIT to rebuild beyond the Cut-off. NJ TRANSIT committed $32.5 million to rehabilitate the Roseville Tunnel and the Hudson Farm and Junction Brook culverts, build 8,000 feet of track bed, and stabilize rock slopes.
Gottheimer was joined by Andover Mayor Thomas Walsh, Andover Deputy Mayor Krista Gilchrist, NJ TRANSIT Government & External Affairs Chief Paul Wyckoff, and Andover Police Chief Eric Danielson.
Source: Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), October 2, 2026. Read the original release
