Murphy, South Jersey officials announce $250 million expansion of Camden transportation center

Gov. Phil Murphy joined a slew of Camden and South Jersey officials to announce a planned $250 million redevelopment of the city’s Walter Rand Transportation Center.

“In spite of the pandemic’s challenges, Camden is a city still on the rise,” he said. “Today, we are proud to announce a more than $250 million dollar overhaul of the Walter Rand Transportation Center, which will benefit the people of Camden for decades to come. Any modern city needs a modern transportation hub, and with this investment, we are sending a clear signal that Camden’s best days are ahead.”

Officials plan to redevelop the existing facility, the largest transportation hub in the county, to enable growth in Camden’s downtown by expanding transit and providing for new retail, housing and office space.

The proposed facility, which will be open for bids in the coming weeks, would provide better accommodations for 26 existing bus lines and improve connections with PATCO subways and the River Line Light rail.

“The Walter Rand Transit Center Improvement Project will be a boost to the entire region and bring a long-needed upgrade to this important transportation hub as we move further into the 21st Century. It will open the door to an array of opportunities — educational, economic, and otherwise — many of which we may not have even thought about yet,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford).

Officials see opportunity for growth in the city’s downtown, which already hosts a Rutgers University Campus and multiple facilities affiliated with Cooper University Health Systems.

The announcement follows $2.8 million in repairs and improvements to the parking garage attached to the Walter Rand Transit Center, which is named for the former state legislator who sponsored bills that created the Transportation Trust Fund.

“This major investment in the Walter Rand Transportation Center will create good-paying construction jobs and ensure that South Jersey residents and essential workers will have access to a safe, reliable and modern transit hub to keep our economy moving,” said Rep. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), who later held Rand’s State Senate seat. “It’s an honor to celebrate this announcement for a center that is such a vital link for our communities.”