In 2001, NJ Transit replaced the loop, Franklin Avenue station and the nearby Heller Parkway station into one straight facility known as Branch Brook Park, named after the nearby park.

Heller Parkway station was originally opened on May 26, 1935,[3] and was the northern terminus of the Newark City Subway system until 1940 when North Sixth Street station was built.

Heller Parkway station continued to operate until June 21, 2002.

[citation needed] Originally known as North Sixth Street Newark City Subway station, it was built in 1940.

When New Jersey Transit replaced the PCC cars with longer and more modern Kinki Sharyo light rail vehicles, Franklin Avenue station was closed on August 25, 2001, and replaced with an elongated ramp leading to the current station.