New Jersey Transit recently awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff to provide management services and oversee the expansion of Morrisville Rail Yardused for overnight storage and light maintenance.

The depot, which opened in 2004, currently has storage for 12 passenger trains and includes a 1,000-foot train service and inspection track, 100-foot service and inspection area, two level crossings, 37,200 feet of running track and catenary, and a 7,400-square-foot crew quarters facility.

The yard project’s $97 million second phase will add storage for another 130 commuter carriages, as well as service and inspection and wheel truing facilities, enabling NJ Transit to consolidate storage and running repair functions now undertaken at two other sites. The expanded yard will have capacity to accommodate long-term service growth on NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor and Atlantic City lines.

Scheduled to be complete in mid-2007, the project includes redeveloping the southern half of a 30-acre former Conrail classification yard; constructing a two-track S&I facility, wheel truing facility, offices and nine electrified storage tracks; installing a catenary system on tracks and in the S&I facility; and installing underground utilities.