TRENTON, N.J. (AP) State transit officials said ground could be broken before the end of the year on a new station connecting the rail line that runs between Atlantic City and Philadelphia with a line that passes under it.

Construction on the $40 million NJ Transit project, connecting the Atlantic City Line and the River Line, is expected to take two to three years.

In addition, the five-year-old River Line, which runs between Trenton and Camden, is scheduled to upgrade its signal system to allow an additional express trip between Florence and Trenton, NJ Transit spokesman Dan Stessel said.

“Ridership on the River Line has grown significantly, and we’ve really maxed out the infrastructure,’’ Stessel told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The new Pennsauken station will have upper and lower platforms and elevators, Stessel said. Plans call for about 250 parking spaces. Federal stimulus funds will pay for the project.

Both rail lines have enjoyed increased ridership in recent years, though the slumping casino industry may have been responsible for a slight dip last year on the Atlantic City Line.

The River Line carried more than 9,000 passengers each weekday last year, compared to about 4,000 in 2004. The Atlantic City Line carried about 3,500 passengers per day last year, compared to 3,050 in 2004.

The light-rail River Line stops at 15 towns along the Delaware River. The Atlantic City Line makes six stops between Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station and the casino Mecca.

Today's top stories

Blalock Crews Build TDOT's $67M Newport Bypass

New Bridges Part of Iowa's $114M Madison Avenue Project

Eagle Bridge Co. Works On Final Leg of U.S. 35 Upgrade

SAKAI Achieves Record Sales, Production

Takeuchi Recognizes Top Dealers at 2024 Dealer Summit

Equip Expo's Summer Giveaway Offers a Chance for Lifetime Trade Show Registration, Gift Card, Hotel Stay

Tennessee's Pugmill Systems LLC Expands Its Product Offerings to Include Concrete Plants

ASCENDUM Machinery Opens New Savannah, Ga., Facility