The Broad Street Extension, is the second segment of the Newark Light Rail. Originally planned as the first phase of the Newark-Elizabeth Rail Link, the line is one mile (1.6 km) long and connects Newark Penn Station to Broad Street Station. It branches off the older City Subway using the existing junction that had led to the Public Service terminal. A new tunnel leads from the junction to a portal about two blocks north. The remaining section runs above-ground. For a few blocks the two tracks run in different streets a block apart. One stop serves the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and another serves the Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.
The extension opened on July 17, 2006, with the first revenue service train departing Newark Penn Station at 1 p.m. EDT.
Construction began in 2002 with an estimated cost of $207.7 million, or about $40,000 per foot of track; it was completed within budget. Projections were for 4,000 average weekday boardings after one year, growing to about 7,000 in 2010. Actual weekday boardings in 2010 for both Newark Light Rail lines combined were reported at 9,000.
The art work at the new stations has a common theme, titled "Riding with Sarah and Wayne." It is intended as a tribute to Newark's native daughter Sarah Vaughan and includes the lyrics to her signature song, "Send in the Clowns," and colored bricks representing the music notes.
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