PATH Suspends Harrison–Journal Square Service for Six Weekends

PATH riders in our region should brace for a series of fall weekend service changes. Critical modernization work is about to get underway, and it’s going to have a real impact.

Over six weekends from September through November, PATH will suspend service between Harrison and Journal Square. They’re making way for some major infrastructure upgrades.

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Key Dates and Service Changes

Here’s when the PATH weekend closures will happen: Sept. 13-14, Sept. 20-21, Oct. 4-5, Oct. 11-12, Oct. 25-26, and Nov. 1-2. On Oct. 11-12 and Nov. 1-2, the suspension actually starts earlier, at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

For the other weekends, the shutdown kicks in from 11:59 p.m. Friday and lasts until 5 a.m. Monday. Not exactly ideal, but at least you know when to expect it.

What Service Will Continue

Even with the shutdown, you’ve still got transit options. These PATH services will keep running:

Newark-Penn to Harrison segment of the Newark–World Trade Center line
Journal Square–World Trade Center line
Journal Square–33rd Street via Hoboken line

And here’s a bit of good news: weekday PATH schedules stay the same. If you’re commuting during the week, you shouldn’t see any changes from this project.

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Help for Impacted Riders

To keep folks moving, PATH will run free shuttle buses between Harrison and Journal Square, and between Newark-Penn Station and Journal Square. The shuttles are wheelchair-accessible and will depart every 7 to 12 minutes during peak times.

Overnight, from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m., the buses will run less often—every 15 to 20 minutes. Not perfect, but it’s something.

What’s Behind the Work

This isn’t just routine maintenance. PATH crews are demolishing and rebuilding a Conrail freight rail bridge, plus installing four new track switches for better speed and flexibility.

All of this is part of the $430 million PATH Forward program that kicked off in April 2024. The goal is to modernize the rail system, with everything supposed to wrap up by next year.

Navigating Your Weekend Plans

If you usually travel between Harrison and Journal Square on weekends, you’ll want to plan ahead. Give yourself extra time and get familiar with those shuttle bus options.

Whether you’re working, out for fun, or just exploring, knowing your alternatives can take some of the sting out of these disruptions.

Planning a Visit Around PATH Disruptions

Visitors—especially anyone staying in Jersey City hotels—should definitely keep these PATH changes in mind. Jersey City’s location, just minutes from Manhattan, still makes it a prime base, but you might find your trips a bit longer on those six weekends.

Making the Most of Your Time in Jersey City

Honestly, weekend disruptions could be a great excuse to stick around locally. There are tons of things to do in Jersey City without crossing the Hudson—like walking the waterfront, hanging out at Liberty State Park, or trying out the city’s food scene.

Travel Tips and Local Perspective

If you’re looking at where to stay in Jersey City, it might help to pick a spot close to alternate transit or within walking distance of the good stuff. For travelers getting to Jersey City from Newark Airport or points west, buses or direct rail to Newark-Penn are still solid options during the construction weekends.

A City of Many Districts

Jersey City’s unique city districts—from the historic charm of Paulus Hook to the buzz of Journal Square—offer so much to explore. Even with PATH outages, getting around the city still feels pretty doable and, honestly, sometimes even more interesting.

The PATH Forward work might change your usual route for a while. Still, the city’s energy doesn’t really slow down, and there’s always something new to stumble upon.

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