NJ TRANSIT is set to advance its Northern Rail Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Facility project in Clifton, N.J., with the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Special Prequalification anticipated in June 2025. 

The RFQ, currently pending final approval from the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller, initiates the first phase of a two-step procurement process to engage a qualified design-build team for the facility’s final design, construction, and commissioning.

“This project is a key step in delivering the infrastructure we need to support reliable and efficient transit operations across the state,” said NJ TRANSIT President/CEO Kris Kolluri. “We look forward to partnering with experienced teams who share our commitment to innovation and excellence.”

NJ TRANSIT’s Proposed Rail Maintenance Facility

The new facility will replace the aging and flood-prone Wood-Ridge MOW site. The project is designed to strengthen NJ TRANSIT’s capacity to maintain and service its rail network by providing modern infrastructure that supports essential right-of-way maintenance and repair operations.

The new Northern MOW Facility project includes demolition and environmental remediation of existing structures; construction of three new buildings across two NJ TRANSIT-owned parcels; site grading, utility coordination, and access improvements; and dedicated parking areas and integration of updated maintenance equipment.

Federal and state leaders strongly support the initiative, citing its long-term value to commuters and environmental resilience.

“NJ TRANSIT moving forward with this federally funded rail maintenance is great news,” said Congresswoman Nellie Pou, a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee member. “It safeguards critical infrastructure from repeated flooding while improving day-to-day reliability for commuters.”

NJ TRANSIT’s RFQ

The RFQ will evaluate design-build teams based on their technical qualifications, experience with similar infrastructure projects, and proposed approach. 

NJ TRANSIT expects to shortlist the top candidates and proceed with a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) in the second procurement phase.

Detailed submission criteria and deadlines will be included in the RFQ and published here, www.bidexpress.com, upon release. NJ TRANSIT officials said that this effort represents a significant step in modernizing the state's rail maintenance capacity and ensuring system reliability well into the future.