Governor Phil Murphy along with Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and other local dignitaries broke ground for the Mulberry Commons Pedestrian Bridge, which will link Mulberry Commons Park with Newark Penn Station. The ceremony took place in Mulberry Commons Park, in an area adjacent to Ironside Newark.
The bridge is a key piece of the city’s development strategy for the central business district. The initiative coordinates with New Jersey’s statewide long-range transportation plan involving Penn Station, which includes smart growth measures for development and redevelopment in the Newark corridor.
The bridge will connect Penn Station directly with the Prudential Center, and increase commuter access to the city’s approximately 15 million square feet of office space, four higher education institutions, and approximately 5 million square feet of industrial space. Additionally, the project will significantly benefit multiple neighborhoods of the city that have limited connectivity to transit and to the city center.
“Mulberry Commons Park is the first phase of one of the most important redevelopment projects ever undertaken in Newark,” said Mayor Baraka.
“It has provided our children with a safe, innovative place to play, created a new community gathering space for outdoor events, and jumpstarted development in the surrounding neighborhood. With today’s groundbreaking, we enter the second phase, which catapults the metamorphosis of downtown into the full expression of a livable community.”
“After decades of contemplating concepts and possibilities, Newark now cements a public/private collaboration to create a bustling habitat, dovetailing housing, employment, retail, and entertainment. I’m proud and grateful to everyone who made this day possible.”
Officials say the bridge will support economic growth, make Newark more walkable and green, create a civic landmark in the city, and enhance the pedestrian experience in and around Newark Penn Station.
“It’s rare that a single project can so comprehensively encapsulate all that our state – and the great City of Newark – have worked tirelessly to achieve for our residents,” said Governor Murphy.
“Indeed, by connecting Newark Penn Station and the city’s downtown, the Mulberry Commons Pedestrian Bridge will not only promote active and public transportation in our state’s most populous city, but simultaneously catalyze economic growth and development for generations to come.
“Most importantly, this bridge is a project that puts New Jerseyans and their quality of life first, connecting residents with vibrant community assets in one of our state’s most iconic neighborhoods.”
The project is estimated to take between 18 and 24 months.
