EAST ORANGE, N.J. (PIX11) -- Elevators and security upgrades are always on the wish list for transit systems.

The federal government is sending another round of funding to NJ Transit for accessibility and structural projects at Brick Church Station in East Orange, New Jersey.

Transit staff said the project will take about four years. 

Riders have been walking up the stairs for more than a hundred years at the historic station. Penn Station is three or four stops away and trains head west to Gladstone and Hackettstown.

Antoinette Brevard said neighbors have been advocating for improvements for years.

"Now the issue is being addressed. Absolutely, the residents are being taken care of and the people who come here will find it just as wonderful," Brevard said.

Britnee Timberlake is the New Jersey state senator for the area and a transit rider. 

"Constantly fighting for equity. The area is low to moderate income. We can’t forget about infrastructure in areas such as this," Timberlake said.

The station is showing signs of its age. New housing is being built right next door. That was the backdrop for the presentation of a big check from the Federal Transit Administration. 

The $83 million will cover station modernization, including full accessibility, structural work that preserves the historic architecture and safety/security upgrades. 

East Orange Mayor Ted Green said 20% of the new housing next door will be affordable. 

"We don't want people to feel that we are pushing people out," Green said.

The tax dollars are from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This money is for older transit locations with new development potential. 

Veronica Vanterpool is the acting administrator with the Federal Transit Administration. She pointed to it as an example of transit-oriented development. 

"We expect to see continued progress, with vision and leadership. Partnership leads to these kinds of moments," Vanterpool said.

NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett said there’s a lot of work to do, and a funding source makes a difference. 

"That kind of dedicated funding allows us to really start catching up on train stations and on the bus side," Corbett said. 

Last year, the agency received $34 million for work at five stations.

The funds are part of the Federal Transit Administration’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP). Eight transit agencies in eight states received a total of $343 million in ASAP grants for 2024.