New Jersey
NJ Transit’s controversial Transitgrid project is canceled
3-minute read
NJ Transit is the third largest provider of bus and rail in U.S.
NJ Transit has 253 bus routes, 12 rail lines and three light rail lines. It provides nearly 270 million passenger trips each year.
Transitgrid — arguably the most controversial proposal in NJ Transit’s portfolio of capital projects — has been canceled, according to three sources who were not authorized to publicly discuss the decision.
NJ Transit issued a press release Friday morning announcing the decision saying it was not “financially feasible.”
“Reallocation of the (microgrid central facility) funding not only supports these high-priority resiliency projects, it also ensures that good-paying, union construction jobs that this funding supports remain in New Jersey,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.
NJ Transit also said that since Transitgrid was initially designed, improvement to the parts of the affected power grid made the project “much less necessary.”
The agency credited PSE&G’s “significant investments in power grid resiliency.”
After Superstorm Sandy flooded the region in 2012 and led to shuttered transportation service, the project was originally developed to build a microgrid that would use a natural gas-powered plant to electrify some of the agency’s rail lines in the event of a blackout. When not used during an emergency, NJ Transit could sell power to other railroads, like Amtrak. NJ Transit was awarded a $409.7 million federal grant for the project in 2014 through a Federal Transit Administration emergency response grant program.
The agency said $503 million in federal grant funding is being redirected to other Superstorm Sandy related projects. The Raritan River Bridge reconstruction between Perth Amboy and South Amboy will receive $240 million, the Long Slip Fill projects in Hoboken will get $88 million and that will help create additional train storage space in the event of flooding, and the Delco lead storage and inspection facility, which will also create more train storage space, will receive $175 million.
In October — six months after bids were due for estimates on construction of the microgrid facility — the FTA acknowledged to NorthJersey.com that NJ Transit had “engaged” the federal agency on the Transitgrid project, but wouldn’t answer questions about whether it was about transferring the grant dollars to other eligible projects.
Environmental advocates cheer Transitgrid cancelation
Environmental advocates have swarmed NJ Transit’s public meetings for the last several years to condemn the project and at times yelled at and made macabre comments to board members and staff.
To address advocates’ concerns, transit officials announced they would slow down the procurement process and include a stipend to bidders to come up with plans that would achieve 100% renewable energy “to the extent that it’s technically feasible,” Corbett said in 2020, but did not preclude the use of gas in the near-term.
“While the TransitGrid procurement process provided valuable knowledge for the future, it showed the funding would be better used to protect these other critical points around the state. This determination was reinforced by New Jersey’s utilities’ work to strengthen the state’s power grid since Superstorm Sandy,” said Kevin Corbett, president and CEO of NJ Transit.
The project was a frequent sticking point with Gov. Phil Murphy who has frequently cited his ambitious clean energy goals and Energy Master Plan that aims to put New Jersey on the path to 100% renewable clean energy by 2050.
The microgrid had supporters in the labor and trades organizations who saw it as an opportunity for work and increasing the resiliency of the state’s transportation system.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
Major snowstorm grips New Jersey with blizzard-like conditions
Helpful resources:
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Montclair during major winter storm
11:17 PM: News 12’s Jill Croce is out on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair checking in on conditions as a potential blizzard approaches New Jersey.
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Middlesex County during major winter storm
11:17 PM: News 12’s Christine Queally is checking on the conditions in Middlesex County as a major winter storm impacts New Jersey.
DoorDash temporarily suspends operations in New Jersey due to snowstorm
9:56 PM: DoorDash says it has temporarily suspended operations across New Jersey as of 9 p.m. Sunday as a major winter storm moves across the state.
The food-delivery company says that the suspension will last until at least noon on Monday.
The suspension also impacts Philadelphia.
“We’re suspending operations across impacted areas to keep our community safe. This is a serious storm — we’ll resume when it passes,” said DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley.
The company says it will monitor the conditions to determine when service can resume.
WATCH: Mayor Peter Curatolo speaks about snow conditions in Lacey Township
9:56 PM: Lacey Township Mayor Peter Curatolo speaks with News 12 about the snow conditions in the township. A major winter storm is impacting the New Jersey coast.
A look at the snow conditions outside News 12’s studio
9:27 PM: News 12’s Eric Landskroner is outside the News 12 studio in Edison to check on the snow conditions in the area.
Landskroner also speaks with Les – a snowplow driver who has been clearing out the roads and parking lots near the studio for the past 30 years.
Mandatory travel restriction now in effect; NJ Transit rail service suspended
9 PM: Mandatory travel restrictions are now in effect for New Jersey.
The restrictions prohibit all non-exempt vehicles from traveling on state, county, municipal and interstate roadways. The New Jersey Turnpike is exempt from this restriction.
Violators may face penalties if they are caught on the roadways during this period.
The restrictions will stay in place until 7 a.m. Monday.
NJ Transit has now suspended all rail service. Bus, light rail and Access Link services were suspended at 6 p.m.
“NJ Transit will be assessing the impacts of the storm throughout the overnight on Sunday into Monday to determine when it is safe to resume service,” the agency wrote.
JCP&L spokesman joins News 12 to discuss winter storm impacts
7:44 PM: JCP&L spokesman Chris Hoenig joins News 12 to discuss the latest impacts of this major winter storm on New Jersey and how utility crews are dealing with outages.
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Montclair during major winter storm
7:26 PM: News 12’s Jill Croce is out on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair checking in on conditions as a potential blizzard approaches New Jersey.
WATCH: Checking on conditions out in Edison during major winter storm
7:25 PM News 12’s Christine Queally is checking on the conditions in Edison as a major winter storm impacts New Jersey.
NJ Transit to suspend rail service by 9 p.m.
5:30 PM: New Jersey Transit says that rail service will be suspended by 9 p.m. due to the potential blizzard impacting the state.
“Some service will end prior to 9 p.m. however no trains will begin a new trip after 9 p.m. from their origin point,” NJ Transit officials wrote in a statement.
All bus, light rail and Access Link services will be suspended at 6 p.m.
“NJ Transit will be assessing the impacts of the storm throughout the overnight on Sunday into Monday to determine when it is safe to resume service,” the agency wrote.
WATCH: Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch joins News 12
6: 14 PM: Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch joined News 12 to discuss the major winter storm impacting New Jersey.
The mayor urged residents to stay indoors and to keep their cars off the street so that crews can plow
Newark residents urged not to park in the street; City Hall to be closed Monday
5:24 PM: Newark residents are being told not to park on the street tonight as a major snowstorm moves into the state.
Double-parked cars and cars parked on streets with “No Parking When Road Is Snow Covered” signs will be towed at the owner’s expense, according to officials.
Newark officials say that all city buildings, including City Hall, will be closed on Monday due to the storm. All non-emergency municipal services will also be suspended.
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS!
4:00 PM: We want to see your winter storm pictures and videos. Send them in, as long it is safe to do so, to News 12. You may see them in the show.
MONMOUTH COUNTY SHERIFF TALKS STORM PLAN
3:45 PM: News 12 talked with Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden on how they are preparing for the storm. Monmouth County has over 300 DPW crews and 200 plow vehicles.
MIDDLETOWN MAYOR DISCUSSES STORM PREP
3:20 PM: News 12’s Jack Ford spoke with the mayor of Middletown about how the city is preparing to bear the brunt of the storm, with up to 24 inches of snowfall expected.
EDISON MAYOR TALKS STORM PREP
2:40 PM: News 12’s Christine Queally spoke with Edison Mayor Sam Joshi about the township’s storm preparedness. Edison has over 130 crews and 85 vehicles and plows ready to be deployed, according to Mayor Joshi.
UNIVERSITY CLOSINGS
2:05 PM: Monmouth University offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23. All classes will be conducted remotely.
Montclair State University will be fully remote on Monday, Feb. 23, due to the winter storm.
NJ TRANSIT SERVICE UPDATE
1:45 PM: NJ Transit is suspending bus, light rail and Access Link services beginning 6 p.m. Sunday. Trains are currently running but service adjustments are expected later Sunday evening.
VEOLIA WATER RELEASES BLIZZARD RESPONSE PLAN
1:27 PM: Veolia Water is preparing crews and alerting customers to resources should they lose service during the approaching blizzard. The water company serves approximately 1.1 million NJ residents.
AIRLINES ISSUE TRAVEL ADVISORIES
12:57 PM: Air India has issued a travel advisory for the Tri-State area Sunday and Monday, with all flights from New York and Newark cancelled on Monday.
JetBlue will temporarily suspend operations at several Northeast airports during the periods listed below. Customers traveling during this time should expect significant disruptions and cancellations.
New York (JFK)
February 22 at 1:00 PM – February 24 at 5:00 AM
Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA)
February 22 at 4:00 PM – February 24 at 5:00 AM
GOV. SHERRILL PRESS CONFERENCE
12:30 PM: Gov. Mikie Sherrill held a press conference Sunday afternoon to update the state on the major winter storm descending on New Jersey.
All 21 counties in the state are under a blizzard warning for the first time in 30 years, Sherrill said. The governor warned that this is likely to be the worst storm in New Jersey since 1996. There is a 90% likelihood of the whole state getting a foot of snow or more.
The governor said the worst is expected Sunday night into Monday morning.
“These are considerably worse conditions that we are facing,” compared to the winter storm that hit the state last month, Sherrill said.
A speed restriction of 35 mph on state highways will be in effect as of 3 p.m. NJ Transit buses, Access Link and light rail trains will run until 6 p.m., when service will be suspended.
A total of 101,000 tons of salt is ready for the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, and 350,000 tons for other state roads.
NJ Transit trains are expected to run into the evening, but will likely be suspended tonight pending a later announcement, said Sherrill.
“Don’t travel tonight. It’s dangerous,” she said.
Power outages are also expected around the state.
“We also anticipate that wet, heavy snow will cause power outages throughout the state as branches and trees fall,” said Sherrill.
State offices are closed on Monday.
HOUR-BY-HOUR WEATHER FORECAST
9:40 AM: A potentially historic snowstorm with blizzard conditions is in the forecast for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut through Monday. Isolated spots in the tri-state area could see up to 2 feet of snow. News 12 meteorologist Alex Calamia is here with an hour-by-hour forecast to show you when impacts could be at their worst and most dangerous.
Gov. Sherrill appears live on News 12, warns of life‑threatening blizzard
8:48 AM: Gov. Mikie Sherrill said New Jersey is prepared for the approaching blizzard as a state of emergency begins at noon Sunday. Sherrill said blizzard conditions are expected in all 21 counties. “We’re anticipating an incredibly dangerous storm, the likes of which we have not seen since 1996,” she said. Forecasts show two to three inches of snow an hour overnight in some areas, along with heavy, wet snow and winds up to 50 mph, especially along the coast.
STORM RESOURCES
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS
8:50 AM: Commercial vehicles will face travel restrictions on multiple N.J. Interstate highways starting at 3 p.m. Sunday due to a severe winter storm forecast, says NJDOT Acting Commissioner Priya Jain.
AAA warns of power outages and dangerous travel as nor’easter approaches
8:30 AM: AAA Northeast is urging drivers to stay home as snow and blizzard‑like conditions move into the Northeast late Sunday into Monday. The storm brings the possibility of power outages, and drivers are encouraged to charge phones, portable chargers and other essential items before the worst conditions arrive. Road travel may become difficult, and drivers are advised to stay off the roads during and after the storm when possible.
8:40 AM: Mayor James Solomon says Jersey City is bracing for major winter storm
Rider University is closed Sunday and Monday, with no classes held.
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS
8:10 AM: Flight cancellations are piling up in the area due to the snowstorm. Newark Liberty Airport has hundreds of delays and nearly a dozen cancellations already. Airlines are gearing up for the storm, but it’s likely to get worse. If you’re flying, check with your airline for updates
NJ TRANSIT UPDATE
8:10 AM: NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri says trains and buses will keep running Sunday, but Monday’s morning rush is still up in the air. No official cancellations or changes are announced yet, but that’s likely to change given the storm forecast.
Here are current service changes:
- Bus route 197 will originate and terminate at Greenwood Lake Park and Ride due to the inclement weather. NJ Transit rail will accept NJ Transit bus tickets and passes on Port Jervis Line trains to and from Harriman, Tuxedo and Sloatsburg stations. Short Line Bus will accept NJ Transit tickets and passes in Orange County.
- Rail service (except ACRL) is operating on the Portal Cutover weekend schedule. Midtown Direct service will operate to/from PSNY with no diversion to Hoboken. No cross honoring in Hoboken.
SHARK RIVER CLOSED TO MARINE TRAFFIC
7:50 AM: The Route 71 drawbridge over the Shark River is closed to all marine traffic between Belmar and Avon-by-the-Sea. The channel is being closed so the bridge can be lowered and secured ahead of the winter storm.
TIPS TO STAY SAFE WHILE SHOVELING
7:45 AM: As the region prepares for significant snowfall, safety experts are reminding residents to take simple steps to avoid injuries while clearing walkways and driveways.
Many of the most common winter injuries happen during shoveling, which can strain muscles and increase risks for people with existing health issues. Officials say a few small habits can make the process much safer.
- Stretch before you start to reduce the chance of muscle strain.
- Take rest breaks every few minutes, especially during heavy or wet snow.
- Don’t overexert yourself — stop immediately if you feel pain or shortness of breath.
- Be careful when walking on snow and ice, which can be extra slippery under fresh accumulation.
- Offer to help neighbors who may have difficulty clearing snow on their own.
- If you have a heart condition, be extra careful and consider asking someone else to shovel for you.
7:30 AM: PSEG’s tips for power outage safety:
- Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines
- Create an emergency kit
- Stock up on bottled water and nonperishable food
- Charge your phone before the storm hits
As a storm is expected to batter the Philadelphia region with snow on Sunday afternoon, New Jersey entered a state of emergency at noon on Sunday due to the weather.
And, on Sunday, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill shared an update on hazardous weather conditions in the garden state.
On Saturday, Sherrill declared that New Jersey would enter a State of Emergency effective at noon. on Sunday, February 22, 2026 in anticipation of a severe winter storm expected to cause hazardous weather conditions across the state, including, what officials said would likely be “blizzard conditions with wind gusts up to 55 miles per hour, heavy and widespread snow, and potential coastal flooding.”
With an executive order, Sherrill declared a State of Emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey.
At that time, officials said that estimates suggest that snow accumulations could exceed 10 inches across all regions of the state, with some coastal communities expecting as much as 24 inches of snowfall.
Léelo en español aquí
“Beginning tomorrow and continuing into Monday, we expect to see a winter storm bring severe blizzard conditions across our state,” said Governor Sherrill in a statement. “We are urging all New Jerseyans to use caution, stay off the roads, and follow all safety protocols during the storm.”
She said New Jersey residents should visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and safety information.
Residents should also monitor local forecasts, warnings, and watches, she said.
Winter Storm Warning
from SUN 7:00 AM EST until MON 6:00 PM EST, Berks County, Eastern Montgomery County, Northampton County, Western Chester County, Delaware County, Lehigh County, Philadelphia County, Eastern Chester County, Monroe County, Western Montgomery County, Carbon County, Upper Bucks County, Lower Bucks County
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