Newark Light Rail - Timeline - Historic Dates

Historic Dates

• December 22, 1910: The Public Service Corporation first announces plans to build the subway, initially including a line under Broad Street from Bridge Street to Clinton Avenue.
• May 26, 1935: The subway opens from Broad Street to Heller Parkway. The #21 line is routed onto the subway via the Warren Street Ramp and level junction at the Orange Street grade crossing. The #23 line is routed via the Norfolk Street Ramp. The #29 line starts using the Bloomfield Avenue Ramp.
• June 20, 1937: The extension to Newark Penn Station opens. This is the same day that the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad (present-day PATH) withdraws service from its Park Place terminal and first operates into its new alignment at Newark Penn Station. The #13, #27 and #43 lines are rerouted to Penn Station via the Cedar Street Subway; the #27 and #43 had used the lower level of the Newark Public Service Terminal.
• June 21, 1937: The #17 line is rerouted via the Cedar Street Subway.
• July 18, 1937: The #13 and #17 lines stop using the Cedar Street Subway.
• December 29, 1937: The #27 line stops using the Cedar Street Subway.
• May 1, 1938: The #43 line stops using the Cedar Street Subway, ending all service on that connection.
• November 22, 1940: The extension to North 6th Street (later Franklin Avenue) opens.
• December 14, 1947: The #23 line stops using the Norfolk Street Ramp.
• March 1, 1951: The #21 line stops using the Warren Street Ramp.
• March 29, 1952: The #21 line stops using the level junction at the Orange Street grade crossing.
• March 30, 1952: The #29 line stops using the Bloomfield Avenue ramps.
• January 8, 1954: The first PCC car uses the subway.
• October 1980: NJ Transit takes over operations.
• August 21, 1999: The subway is closed for two weeks for an overhaul.
• September 7, 1999: The subway reopens.
• August 24, 2001: The PCC cars are officially retired from service.
• August 27, 2001: The new light rail vehicles begin operation.
• June 21, 2002: Heller Parkway closes.
• June 22, 2002: Silver Lake and Grove Street open.
• September 4, 2004: Broad Street is renamed Military Park.
• January 8, 2005: Additional late-night service is provided to Grove Street.
• July 17, 2006: The Newark City Subway extension opens, with service between Newark Penn Station and Newark Broad Street. Service is officially rebranded as the Newark Light Rail.