Branch Brook Park station

Branch Brook Park station is a light rail station in the Forest Hill neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. The station services trains of the Newark Light Rail, operated by NJ Transit and is the last in the city of Newark heading westbound. The next station to the west is Silver Lake in Belleville. The next station to the south is Davenport Avenue. Branch Brook Park operates as an intermodal transportation hub, with two platforms for the light rail, one side platform and one island platform. There is also a third platform for bus services.

Branch Brook Park
Branch Brook Park station in April 2015 from the ramp to Heller Parkway
General information
LocationNorth 5th Street & Anthony Street
Newark, New Jersey
Coordinates40°46′47″N 74°10′29″W / 40.7797°N 74.1748°W / 40.7797; -74.1748
Owned byNew Jersey Transit
Platforms1 island platform, 1 side platform
Tracks2
Bus stands5
ConnectionsBus transport NJ Transit Bus: 27, 74, 90, 92, 99
Construction
Structure typeBelow grade
Parking112 spaces[1]
Bicycle facilitiesYes
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station code30762[2]
History
OpenedMay 26, 1935 (May 26, 1935)
Rebuilt1940, 1953, 2001
Previous namesFranklin Avenue, Heller Parkway
Services
Preceding station NJ Transit Following station
Silver Lake Grove Street – Newark Penn Davenport Avenue
Location
Map

The station is located on the site of the original Newark City Subway streetcar loop and station known as Franklin Avenue. In 2001, NJ Transit replaced the loop, Franklin Avenue station and the nearby Heller Parkway station into one straight facility known as Branch Brook Park, named after the nearby park.

History

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Heller Parkway

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Heller Parkway station in February 2015 with all facilities intact

Heller Parkway station was originally opened on May 26, 1935,[3] and was the northern terminus of the Newark City Subway system until 1940 when North Sixth Street station was built. Heller Parkway station continued to operate until June 21, 2002. Access to the Heller Parkway bridge is available through a long ramp between the bridge and the south end of one of the platforms.[citation needed]

Franklin Avenue

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A former Route #7 PCC Streetcar at Franklin Avenue station in 1985.

Originally known as North Sixth Street Newark City Subway station, it was built in 1940. Later as the turning loop was built, the station was moved closer to Anthony Street and named Franklin Avenue NCS station in 1953. When New Jersey Transit replaced the PCC cars with longer and more modern Kinki Sharyo light rail vehicles, Franklin Avenue station was closed on August 25, 2001, and replaced with an elongated ramp leading to the current station.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Branch Brook Park Light Rail Station". NJ Transit. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "Newark Light Rail" (PDF) (Map). NJ Transit. September 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  3. ^ "Commuters Hail Newark Subway". The Asbury Park Evening Press. May 27, 1935. p. 17. Retrieved January 14, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.  
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