NYC-NJ Light Rail Eyes Bergen County Expansion
NJ Transit requests proposals for environmental study of 10-mile light rail extension to Bergen County
NJ Transit Seeks Bids for Light Rail Study
NJ Transit's issuing a Request for Proposals to prepare an environmental impact statement for a 10-mile Hudson-Bergen Light Rail extension into Bergen County, transit officials said Thursday. The expansion would run from the current northern terminus at Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen through nine municipalities to Tenafly, though specific station locations haven't been determined. Daniel Corbett, Interim Executive Director at NJ Transit, said the environmental review will help the agency understand the full scope of impacts and benefits the extension could bring to corridor communities.
Extension Builds on Decade of Planning
The proposed extension builds on studies NJ Transit completed in 2009 and 2011 that identified the Northern Branch corridor as a viable transit improvement. The existing Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system spans 20.6 miles with 24 stations serving communities along the Hudson River waterfront, carrying approximately 15 million riders annually before the pandemic. Officials said the Bergen County extension would provide improved transit access to residents who've long relied on bus service and personal vehicles. The environmental review process is required under federal law for major transportation projects seeking Federal Transit Administration funding.
Cost and Timeline Details Unavailable
NJ Transit hasn't released project cost estimates, which will be developed as part of the environmental review process. The agency didn't announce a timeline for completing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement or disclose the RFP response deadline. Ridership projections for the Northern Branch extension weren't provided and will be calculated during the environmental study. Jim Smith, Media Relations Manager at NJ Transit, confirmed the agency will release additional details as the environmental review progresses.
Federal Approval Process Ahead
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement represents an early step in the federal approval process for projects seeking Capital Investment Grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration. Officials said the environmental review will evaluate impacts on communities along the planned route and include opportunities for public input. NJ Transit hasn't announced when the environmental review will be complete or when construction might begin.
Riders Await Extension Details
Bergen County residents who'd gain access to light rail service through the extension will need to wait for more specifics as the environmental review unfolds. The agency said it'll announce station locations, service frequencies, and implementation timelines after completing the environmental study. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for the existing Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system and will include the Northern Branch extension once service begins.
