New Jersey Transit unveils plan for $55 million Elizabeth station upgrade

State and federal officials have unveiled plans for a $55 million upgrade of a more than century-old New Jersey train station.

The New Jersey Transit station in Elizabeth dates back to the early 20th century.

The new station will have a street-level ticket office and waiting area with space for vendors, and will feature heated and air-conditioned waiting areas. It will also have additional stairways and elevators.

Work is scheduled to be completed in 2018.

The new station will be designed to conform to Amtrak's plans to add a fifth track to its Northeast Corridor line, and will accommodate longer trains than it does now.

New Jersey Transit says about 7,500 passenger trips are made each day at the Elizabeth station, making it the 10th-busiest on the rail system.