The station was proposed for the former Johnson & Johnson[4] facility on Route 1 and Aaron Road by the new owners of the 212-acre (86 ha) site,[5] and is part of a transit-oriented development known as Main Street North Brunswick,[2][6] New Jersey Transit's Fiscal 2015 capital budget allocated funding for the station.[7][8] which has been designated a transit-oriented development, or 'transit village'.[9]
As of mid-2017, construction of the project had not begun.[10] In October 2017, it was announced the project had received $50 million from the Transportation Trust Fund.[11] In October 2019, NJT and Middlesex County had committed $70 million to start work on the station.[12][13] In 2021 the County Improvement Authority hired WSP USA to design the station.[14] Initial designs were released in March 2023. Construction is slated to begin 2025.[15][16]
NJT plans to build a flying junction and balloon loop called the Mid-Line Loop between MP 36 and MP 37 on the NEC south of the new station, allowing trains to turn around and enter and leave service without crossing over tracks,[2] and function as a staging area for a mid-line terminus. NJT originates trains to Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station during peak hours from the Jersey Avenue station, to the north in New Brunswick.
NJT is creating a "train haven" at County Yard where equipment could be stored during serious storms. The work involves reconfiguring and expanding the yard into the adjacent Mile Run Yard, which is not in service.[17][18][19]
As of 2019, construction plans for the new station did not include construction of the mid-line loop.[20]
Commons Italics denote closed stations, stations under construction, and unused line segments. Stations north of Montvale are operated by Metro-North Railroad
