In a closed station that is nonetheless bustling with activity, crews cut old nuts and bolts off the side of the platform. New polymer guardrails will be placed along the platform siding.

Any good renovation starts with gutting the place. PATH’s Hoboken station is no exception.

The first week of the station’s closure has largely been focused on destruction and decluttering – jackhammers, sledgehammers, blowtorches and more cutting and blasting away old infrastructure to make way for what’s to come. That has included track, ties, station platforms and stairs, and even a complex track switch structure carefully hoisted to street level via an old railcar shaft. Crews also got a head start installing the station’s new features, including wider and safer staircases.

Old wooden track ties, some weighing up to 500 pounds, are hauled out of the tunnel just beyond Hoboken station as the track switch above those ties is removed. It will be replaced by a modern, custom-made switch, allowing trains to move between tracks seamlessly while reducing delays.

PATH’s Hoboken station will remain closed through 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25. Detailed information on alternate travel options is available here. Additional photos of ongoing work also are available.