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94-678: The Northern Branch Corridor Project is a proposed extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) from its northern terminus into eastern Bergen County , New Jersey , initially proposed in 2001. If built, the new service would use the right-of-way of the Northern Branch on which the Erie Lackawanna Railroad ran passenger service until October 3, 1966, and is currently a lightly used, stub-ended freight rail line owned by CSX Transportation . The Northern Branch Corridor

188-418: A "DBOM" (design/build/operate/maintain) contract to the 21st Century Rail Corporation, a subsidiary of Washington Group International , an engineering and construction consulting firm later acquired by URS , then AECOM . Under the contract, 21st Century Rail would deliver a fleet of vehicles, a guaranteed completion date, and 15 years of operation and maintenance of the system, for a fixed price. The agreement

282-487: A CATEX from NEPA requirements as these portions of I-69 utilize existing freeways that required little more than minor spot improvements and a change of highway signage. Additionally, a CATEX can be issued during an emergency when time does not permit the preparation of an EA or EIS. An example of the latter is when the Federal Highway Administration issued a CATEX to construct the replacement bridge in

376-402: A combination of old rail and new exclusive rights-of-way for most of its length, with some grade separation in certain areas. It shares a lane with automobiles on a portion of Essex Street in downtown Jersey City, but for the most part, does not operate with other traffic. At-grade crossings are equipped with transit-signal priority signals to automatically change traffic lights in favor of

470-410: A good analysis. In addition, government officials do not want to reveal an environmental problem from within their own agency. Citizens often misunderstand the environmental assessment process. The public does not realize that the process is only meant to gather information relevant to the decision. Even if the statement predicts negative impacts of the project, decision makers can still proceed with

564-534: A new station. The HBLR runs at the foot the Hudson Palisades under NJT's Hoboken Terminal lines with the 2nd Street station north of the ROW. The district is characterized as having an irregular street grid (including colonial-era Paterson Plank Road and Newark Plank Road ), being heavily congested (often with Holland Tunnel –bound traffic) and undergoing transition to a residential/commercial uses. In September 2012,

658-532: A rail element. In September 2007, the S89 limited-stop bus service was introduced between Richmond Avenue in Staten Island and the 34th Street HBLR station. As of February 2018 , it runs only during the weekday peak period. While not having begun any studies, New Jersey Transit investigated the feasibility of extending HBLR from the 8th Street Station across the raised bridge. An academic study has been produced in

752-696: A sewer line running along the right-of-way and that service would instead be provided by NJ Transit shuttle buses. Partial service was restored on the branch in April 2020 to the Garfield Ave. and Martin Luther King Dr. stations while the West Side Ave. station remained closed due to ongoing Bayfront-Route 440 extension construction. Full service to the West Side Ave. station resumed in May 2020. There are 24 stations along

846-549: A stop along the route, though current Northern Branch plans do not include one. The Passaic–Bergen–Hudson Transit Project is a project by NJ Transit to reintroduce passenger service on a portion of the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) right-of-way in Passaic, Bergen and Hudson counties, using newly-built FRA -compliant diesel multiple unit rail cars. Plans call for a potential station at 69th Street . In March 2014,

940-676: A trolley line to the Central Railroad terminal building and other points in the park from the Liberty State Park Station light rail station to improve access. The Liberty Historic Railway organization is also attempting to jump start the construction of this trolley line. As of 2020, the Liberty Historic Railway Organization has ceased all work on the Liberty State Park trolley proposal as a result of

1034-644: A walkway/bike path was completed near the site of the proposed station, providing better pedestrian access to it and the nearby 2nd St. station. It was announced in October 2012 that NJT had received a $ 400,000 grant to study the possibility of building a new station at 18th Street in Jersey City, just south of the municipal border and NJT commuter rail ROW. In January 2020, the City of Jersey City began to consider 3.5% tax on public and private parking facilities to help fund

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1128-522: A week to Tonnelle Avenue. Bus service on connecting routes was modified so that there would be more direct connections to Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stations. The extension to a southern terminal at 8th Street opened January 31, 2011, at a cost of $ 100 million. In early 2019, it was announced that service on the West Side Branch would be suspended for nine months starting in June 2019 to allow for repairs to

1222-455: Is a light rail system in Hudson County, New Jersey , United States. Owned by New Jersey Transit (NJT) and operated by the 21st Century Rail Corporation, it connects the communities of Bayonne , Jersey City , Hoboken , Weehawken , Union City , at the city line with West New York , and North Bergen . The system began operating its first segment in April 2000, expanded in phases during

1316-520: Is a component of the state's " smart growth " strategy to reduce auto-ridership and to revitalize older urban and suburban areas through transit-oriented development . Hudson County, New Jersey , is the sixth-most densely populated county in the U.S. and has one of America's highest percentages of public transportation use. During the 1980s and early 1990s, planners and government officials realized that alternative transportation systems needed to be put in place to relieve increasing congestion along

1410-606: Is a proposed extension from the current northern terminus at Tonnelle Avenue using the right of way of the former Erie Northern Branch into eastern Bergen County with a new terminus at the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center . Stops would be added at 91st Street in North Bergen, Fairview , Ridgefield , Palisades Park , Leonia , and Englewood , with stops at Englewood Route 4 and Englewood Town Center . An earlier proposal to use diesel multiple unit (DMU) vehicles

1504-626: Is at the foot of the west side of the Hudson Palisades in the Hackensack River valley, running for much of its length parallel to Overpeck Creek . After mixed reactions and extensive community input to a draft environmental impact statement (EIS), it was decided in 2013 to terminate the line at the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center . In March 2017 the Supplementary Draft Environmental Impact Statement

1598-591: Is being redeveloped into a transit-oriented development known as Liberty Harbor North, which will consist of 6,000 residential units and millions of square feet of commercial space. Two New Urbanism projects in Jersey City, Bayfront and Canal Crossing , are being planned with the expectation that new stations will be built in conjunction with their development. Other developments are either planned or already underway in Hoboken, Union City, Bayonne, and Weehawken, in areas very near to light rail stations. Other transit in

1692-471: Is immediately adjacent to the proposed right-of-way at North Bergen Yard . The region along the corridor was known as the English Neighborhood during the post-colonial era and was largely developed after the introduction of rail service in the mid-19th century. Until the 1960s, the area and neighboring communities in the valley were served by regular passenger rail service to intermodal terminals on

1786-576: Is of utmost importance. According to the town's historic preservation commission, the DEIS does not sufficiently address impact to historic structures along the route. It was decided in 2013 to terminate the line at the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center after another DEIS was performed. A Supplemental DEIS was released in March 2017, with a public hearing scheduled for April 24 in Englewood. The estimated cost of

1880-501: Is proposed on the Bayonne line along its eastern perimeter between current stations at Richard Street and Liberty State Park . A feasibility study conducted in 2012 found that though the construction of a station at Caven Point Avenue was theoretically possible, it would be much more expensive than the average light rail station, while the projected ridership would be relatively low in the near-term. There have been discussions to extend

1974-708: Is with no action taken by the lead agency. Analysis of the No Action Alternative is used to establish a baseline upon which to compare the proposed "Action" alternatives. Contrary to popular belief, the "No Action Alternative" doesn't necessarily mean that nothing will occur if that option is selected in the Record of Decision. For example, the "No Action Alternative" was selected for the I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor Tier-I Environmental Impact Statement. In that Record of Decision,

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2068-467: The Bergen Arches , the former Erie Railroad cut through Bergen Hill in Jersey City. A freeway proposed in 1989 by Governor Thomas Kean was strongly supported by then-Mayor Bret Schundler . In 1998, this project was allocated $ 26 million in the federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century . During the 2001 mayoral race candidates instead lobbied for a mass transit line, and in 2002

2162-653: The HBLR called for a terminus at the New Jersey Turnpike Vince Lombardi Park-and-Ride in Ridgefield , in Bergen County. Despite its name, it currently operates only in Hudson County . Service began its initial operating segment in April 2000, expanded in phases during the next decade and was completed with the opening of its southern terminus on January 31, 2011. The line generally runs parallel to

2256-655: The Hudson River and Upper New York Bay , while its western branch and northern end travel through the lower Hudson Palisades . HBLR has twenty-four stations along a total trackage length of just over 21 miles (34 km) and serves over 40,000 weekday passengers. From its southern terminus at 8th Street in Bayonne the HBLR travels through Jersey City , Hoboken and North Hudson to its current northern terminus at Tonnelle Avenue . The balloon loop allowing for reversal of direction

2350-569: The Hudson River , where passengers were able to transfer to ferries to a variety of slips on the West Side of Manhattan . The West Shore Line to Weehawken Terminal was discontinued in 1959. Service on the Northern Branch to Pavonia Terminal , and in the 1960s to Hoboken Terminal , ended in 1966. The stub-ended line is still used to serve industrial facilities along the route. Since Federal Railroad Administration regulations prohibit freight and light rail systems from operating concurrently,

2444-484: The Hudson Waterfront , particularly in the vicinity of the Hudson River crossings . After extensive studies, it was decided that the most efficient and cost-effective system to meet the growing demands of the area would be a light rail system, constructed in several phases. The design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the system is part of a public-private partnership. In 1996, New Jersey Transit awarded

2538-535: The Journal of Public Transportation . Completing any such extension would involve a collaboration between NJ Transit, New York State , and New York City . The development of a Staten Island light rail system which could connect with the HBLR system gained political support in New York . US Senator Robert Menendez supported the HBLR extension conceptually, but questioned the benefit for New Jersey. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority 's 2015–2019 Capital Plan

2632-490: The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority to support the proposal to extend light rail service as NJT's "preferred alternative". The New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers also endorsed the longer route. The Record regional newspaper, in an editorial, stated that a terminus in the commercial center of Englewood would be sufficient, since the need to begin building the new line

2726-469: The PATH station entrance and the bus terminal . This was shelved in favor of the current stub-end station in the southern end of Hoboken Terminal and the current route along an existing right-of-way at the foot of the Hudson Palisades on the city's west side. The light rail opened to the public on April 15, 2000, with an initial operating segment connecting Bayonne 34th Street and Exchange Place , as well as

2820-798: The Palisades were originally the West Shore Railroad 's main line. The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail system has 52 electrically powered air-conditioned vehicles built by Kinki Sharyo and numbered in the 2000 series. The cars were assembled in Harrison, New Jersey . The original fleet consisted of 54 cars, but 2 cars were transferred to the Newark Light Rail . Each vehicle is 90 feet (27.43 m) long and has four sets of double-opening doors on each side, with seats for 68 passengers and standing room for another 122 passengers. The Newark Light Rail system uses

2914-732: The Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is possible at Exchange Place, Newport and Hoboken Terminal, where connections to NJT commuter rail service are also available. Paid transfer to New York Waterway ferries is also available at some stations. NJT and other buses serve most stations. Like most other light rail services in the United States, the HBLR operates on a proof-of-payment system, in which riders must present their tickets upon request during random fare inspections. Passengers must purchase tickets at NJ Transit ticket vending machines (TVMs) on or near station platforms or from

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3008-626: The Rockefeller Group , which wanted to build a 40-story office tower in that area near the city's northern border with Weehawken. This agreement was not made known to the local government. but came to light after Mayor of Hoboken Dawn Zimmer , appearing on MSNBC on January 18, 2014, claimed that Lt Governor Kim Guadagno and Richard Constable , director of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs , had earlier insinuated to her that more Sandy relief funds would be released to

3102-548: The DEIS by the Environmental Protection Agency found a "lack of objections" but questioned the implementation of wetlands mitigation banking proposal and the grade separation outline within the document. In a meeting held in September 2012 with NJT and 13 mayors from the region, NJT said that it had yet to complete review of responses to the DEIS and that no funding for the project had been identified. With

3196-446: The EA determines whether an EIS is required. If the EA indicates that no significant impact is likely, then the agency can release a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and carry on with the proposed action. Otherwise, the agency must then conduct a full-scale EIS. Most EAs result in a FONSI. A limited number of federal actions may avoid the EA and EIS requirements under NEPA if they meet

3290-530: The LEDPA. An EIS typically has four sections: While not required in the EIS, the following subjects may be included as part of the EIS or as separate documents based on agency policy. Every EIS is required to analyze a No Action Alternative , in addition to the range of alternatives presented for study. The No Action Alternative identifies the expected environmental impacts in the future if existing conditions were left as

3384-717: The NJ Transit app. One-way, round-trip, and ten-trip tickets must then be validated at automated validators located near the TVMs, which date and time stamp the ticket for 60 minutes of use. NJ Transit's fare inspectors randomly check tickets on trains and at stations; as of 2014 , the fine for fare evasion is $ 100. As of 2024 , a one-way adult fare is $ 2.55. A monthly, unlimited pass is $ 80; holders of monthly passes can transfer to NJ Transit local buses without an additional fare. Senior citizens (62 and older; valid ID may be requested), passengers with disabilities, and children under 12 may travel on

3478-595: The Texas Department of Transportation opted not to proceed with building its portion of I-69 as one of the Trans-Texas Corridors to be built as a new-terrain route (the Trans-Texas Corridor concept was ultimately scrapped entirely), but instead decided to proceed with converting existing US and state routes to I-69 by upgrading those roads to interstate standards. The NEPA process is designed to involve

3572-475: The Tier I EIS would analyze the potential socio-environmental impacts along a general corridor, but would not identify the exact location of where the action would occur. A Tier I ROD would be issued approving the general area where the action would be implemented. Following the Tier I ROD, the approved Tier I area is further broken down into subareas, and a Tier II EIS is then prepared for each subarea, that identifies

3666-539: The United States: Environmental impact statement Preliminary versions of these documents are officially known as a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) or draft environmental impact report (DEIR). The purpose of the NEPA is to promote informed decision-making by federal agencies by making "detailed information concerning significant environmental impacts" available to both agency leaders and

3760-565: The act encourages them to consider the environmental costs of a project and introduces new information into the decision-making process. The NEPA has increased the influence of environmental analysts and agencies in the federal government by increasing their involvement in the development process. Because an EIS requires expert skill and knowledge, agencies must hire environmental analysts. Unlike agencies who may have other priorities, analysts are often sympathetic to environmental issues. In addition, this feature introduces scientific procedures into

3854-518: The action can proceed. Obtaining these permits typically requires the lead agency to implement the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) to comply with federal, state, and local environmental laws that are ancillary to NEPA. In some instances, the result of NEPA analysis leads to abandonment or cancellation of the proposed action, particularly when the "No Action" alternative ends up being

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3948-422: The action is not specifically sponsored by a federal agency. These factors may include actions that receive federal funding, federal licensing or authorization, or that are subject to federal control. Not all federal actions require a full EIS. If the action may or may not cause a significant impact, the agency can first prepare a smaller, shorter document called an Environmental Assessment (EA). The finding of

4042-623: The approval of the metropolitan planning organization , North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority , to be eligible for federal funding, is estimated to cost $ 171.6 million. The extension is part of a broader plan to transform the far West Side of Jersey City from previous industrial uses to mixed-use communities that also includes the development of the West Campus of New Jersey City University (currently under construction) and conversion of Route 440 to an urban boulevard. As of March 2017, funding for final design and engineering work

4136-465: The area. Estimated to cost $ 67 million in 2005, ground was broken in October, 2008, but construction was delayed for years due to the first construction company's inadequacies and the subsequent cancellation of its contract. It finally opened in February 2019. Located midway between the current terminus near 49th Street and the first proposed station at 91st Street , the site was at one time planned to be

4230-509: The city if it approved the project proposed by Rockefeller. The agreement is dated June 21, 2014. The plans showed a station at 17th Street and Clinton Street. In January 2020, Mayor Ravinder Bhalla met with representatives of NJ Transit to discuss a potential new station in the area. It included in city's North End master plan. Despite its name, the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail only serves Hudson County . The Northern Branch

4324-544: The compromise to build the northern terminus between those originally proposed, the project can be advanced with the completion of a final environmental impact statement. Initially, it was undecided whether or not a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (SDEIS) would be required for the Englewood Hospital terminus. State legislators petitioned the Federal Transit Administration to proceed with

4418-600: The concerns about station locations and their parking facilities, suggesting that they would cause congestion. Opposition had been most vehement in Tenafly, where voters had already rejected the plan to re-establish rail service to the town in a non-binding referendum in November 2010. Residents and officials rejected plan as described in the DEIS at public hearings in January 2012. Despite local opposition, officials in Bergen County asked

4512-424: The construction of a new light rail station at 18th Street. A 2021 proposal by Lefrak to build a two-tower mixed use development along the light rail ROW between Jersey Avenue & Grove Street including a light rail station, potentially funded in part by the developer. According to The New York Times , NJT approved plans in June 2013 for a new light rail station in northwestern Hoboken, near property owned by

4606-630: The cost and schedule for implementing the action under control. However, many activities require various federal permits to comply with other environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act , the Clean Water Act , Endangered Species Act and Section 4(f) of the Federal Highway Act to name a few. Similarly, many states and local jurisdictions have enacted environmental laws and ordinances, requiring additional state and local permits before

4700-479: The county line near Fairview , Ridgefield , Palisades Park , Leonia and Englewood , where a terminal would be built at a park and ride adjacent to New Jersey Route 4 . A second build option and the "preferred alternative" put forth by NJT was for an extension through Englewood, with additional stations, and Tenafly to two stations, the last of which would be a terminus at the Cresskill town line. Response to

4794-493: The criteria for a categorical exclusion (CATEX). A CATEX is usually permitted when a course of action is identical or very similar to a past course of action and the impacts on the environment from the previous action can be assumed for the proposed action, or for building a structure within the footprint of an existing, larger facility or complex. For example, two recently completed sections of Interstate 69 in Kentucky were granted

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4888-683: The damage the park received from Hurricane Sandy and how vulnerable any rail infrastructure within the park associated with the proposed trolley would be to future storm surges. The light rail has been a catalyst for both residential and commercial development along the route and has played a significant role in the revitalization of Hudson County . Many of the stops are sited in vacant or underutilized areas, which are now beginning to see intense residential and mixed-use development. The line running along Essex Street in downtown Jersey City has spawned 3,000 residential units in five years. An 86-acre (350,000 m ) tract of land bordering Liberty State Park

4982-526: The environment. Because of the intense level of detail required in analyzing the alternatives presented in an EIS or EA, such documents may take years or even decades to compile, and often compose of multiple volumes that can be thousands to tens of thousands of pages in length. To avoid potential conflicts in securing required permits and approvals after the ROD is issued, the lead agency will often coordinate with stakeholders at all levels, and resolve any conflicts to

5076-413: The environmental study, expected to take two years, was approved by NJ Transit in May 2013. After being stalled as of May 2017 funding for the project was thought to finally be proceeding in 2017, but no progress was made. The two branches of the HBLR system create the northern and eastern borders of Canal Crossing , a planned New Urbanist community in Jersey City. A new station at Caven Point Avenue

5170-605: The exact location of where the proposed action will take place. The preparation of Tier II EISs for each subarea proceeds at its own pace, independent from the other subareas within the Tier I area. For example, parts of the proposed Interstate 69 extension in Indiana and Texas , as well as portions of the Interstate 11 corridor in Nevada and Arizona are being studied through a two-tiered process By requiring agencies to complete an EIS,

5264-598: The existing impact statement to avoid additional delays to the project. In February 2014, NJ Transit was directed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to prepare a SDEIS Supplementary Draft Environmental Impact Statement, to be complete in the fall. The FTA approved the SDEIS in March 2017 and it was released on March 17, 2017. The state can apply for federal funding but would have to provide matching state funds, according to Rep. Bill Pascrell 's office. It

5358-505: The existing trackage and minimized interference with freight service on the line. On February 13, 2006, the agency received $ 3.6 million in federal funding to conduct engineering and environmental studies. Had it been built, it would have essentially been a separate service, with trains traveling south from Tenafly terminating in North Bergen , at a station providing connecting service to the separate electric-powered HBLR. The DMU alternative

5452-703: The extension. An NJ Transit spokesman estimated this additional work will delay the project by two years. While not officially part of the HBLR Northern Branch extension project, the 69th Street Bridge in North Bergen was seen as a significant component in success of its operations. It was funded by NJ Transit . The bridge replaced the earlier grade crossing near the CSX North Bergen Yard and NYSW siding between Tonnelle Avenue and West Side Avenue. Significant delays were caused by long trains-created traffic congestion for those working and shopping in

5546-460: The federal government adheres to the goals and policies outlined in the NEPA. An EIS should be created in a timely manner as soon as the agency is planning development or is presented with a proposal for development. The statement should use an interdisciplinary approach so that it accurately assesses both the physical and social impacts of the proposed development. In many instances an action may be deemed subject to NEPA's EIS requirement even though

5640-558: The first decade of the 21st century, studies sponsored by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority were conducted to address mass transit options to the MSC, including the possible extension of HBLR from its northern terminus through Secaucus and across the Hackensack River . At the time it was estimated that the extension would cost $ 1 billion. When it was decided to build a rail spur in 2004, state officials said that an HBLR extension

5734-523: The future. In May 2012, NJ Transit and NY Waterway introduced a monthly or ten-trip discounted combination fare for passengers using the HBLR and ferry at Weehawken Port Imperial . Monthly joint tickets are also available for ferry passengers using slips at Lincoln Harbor and 14th Street (Hoboken) . In February 2013, NJ Transit began offering free weekend parking at Tonnelle Avenue, Liberty State Park, West Side Avenue, 34th Street and 45th Street stations. The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail system uses

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5828-416: The greatest extent possible during the EIS process. Proceeding in this fashion helps avoid interagency conflicts and potential lawsuits after the lead agency reaches its decision. On exceptionally large projects, especially proposed highway , railroad , and utility corridors that cross long distances, the lead agency may use a two-tiered process prior to implementing the proposed action. In such cases,

5922-601: The idea, since it would provide single-seat access between Bergen and Hudson municipalities along the Hudson River . Because light rail cannot operate concurrently with freight service, these plans would have required installation of additional track or scheduling freight traffic late at night or on weekends. Light rail would also require installation of catenary above the tracks and require substations to feed those wires. The construction, operational conflicts and cost considerations led NJT to consider using FRA -compliant diesel multiple unit (DMU) vehicles, which would have used

6016-477: The light rail at a reduced fare of $ 1.25. The option to purchase a combined bus and light rail fare has been removed. Valid NJ Transit weekly and monthly rail passes, as well as 2-zone or greater bus passes, are also good for travel and do not need validation. Like the rest of NJ Transit's other transportation modes, it does not accept the MetroCard nor OMNY although it has plans to create a new fare payment system in

6110-451: The light rail system southward to 22nd Street in Bayonne, was opened on November 15, 2003. It also involved extending the line west and north of Hoboken Terminal into Weehawken. The line was completed to Lincoln Harbor on September 7, 2004, and to Port Imperial on weekends only on October 29, 2005. The line was extended from Port Imperial to Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen on February 25, 2006, and light rail vehicles began running seven days

6204-547: The light rail. A new curved viaduct was constructed eastward from 8th Street to 11th Street in Bayonne to join the existing right-of way to Liberty State Park, which was once the main line of the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ), parts of which rest on the bed of the Morris Canal ; CNJ's Newark and New York Railroad right-of-way was used for the line west to West Side Avenue. From Liberty State Park to Hoboken Terminal

6298-495: The line uses a new right-of-way. From the terminal to the curve south of 2nd Street, the line runs parallel to NJT yard and tracks, formerly the main line of the Lackawanna Railroad ; north of the curve it uses what had been Conrail's River Line , and was originally the New Jersey Junction Railroad . In order to obtain the right-of-way for the line north from Hoboken, NJT paid to upgrade the Northern Running Track , allowing Conrail to shift its operations. The tunnel and cut through

6392-409: The location of the station at Fort Lee Road, believing it could be better-situated to avoid the congestion it might cause. In Tenafly, residents and officials believe that quality of life in the towns will be negatively affected without much additional benefit. While lending support for the new system in their written responses to the DEIS, the governments of Ridgefield, Leonia and Englewood all expressed

6486-413: The mayors of Jersey City , North Hudson and the towns of Bergen County along the route created a commission to promote the construction of the line. In July 2014, Englewood hired an engineering consulting firm to review environmental impact statements and exchanges between the municipality and NJT. In October 2016, state legislators passed a resolution to make the project a top transportation project for

6580-434: The new passenger service would be restricted to running between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. A Major Investment Study and environmental impact statement for the corridor project were first authorized by the Federal Transit Administration and New Jersey Transit in 2001 to examine the possibility of extending Hudson-Bergen Light Rail along the right of way of the Northern Branch. Transportation advocates supported

6674-443: The next decade, and was completed with the opening of its southern terminus on January 31, 2011. The line generally runs parallel to the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay , while its northern end and its western branch travel through the lower Hudson Palisades . HBLR has 24 stations along a total track length of 17 miles (27 km) for each of its two tracks and as of 2017 serves over 52,000 weekday passengers. Despite its name,

6768-417: The plans were dropped during Mayor Cunningham's administration . In that year, Parsons Brinckerhoff , a consulting firm, released another report commission by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) describing the conditions and analysis of various options. NJDOT has continued to fund studies for the project. In March 2011, an additional $ 13.4 million was allocated to advance the project. In

6862-416: The political process. The differences that exist between science and politics limit the accuracy of an EIS. Although analysts are members of the scientific community, they are affected by the political atmosphere. Analysts do not have the luxury of an unlimited time for research. They are also affected by the different motives behind the research of the EIS and by different perspectives of what constitutes

6956-469: The project is approaching $ 1 billion. Approximately $ 40 million has been allocated to the project, which was expected to begin in 2012 and be completed in 2015 and projected to have an estimated 24,000 passengers daily. Nearly three years after its submission, the Federal Transit Administration authorized the release of a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) in December 2011. A February 2012 review of

7050-420: The proposal was met with mixed reactions, with those communities at its southern end generally favorable and those at its northern end much less so. In Englewood, Fairview and Ridgefield, officials see the new stations as a positive addition to their public transportation system. In an extensive survey conducted in 2009, Leonia residents questioned the benefit for the borough and expressed concerns about traffic and

7144-437: The public and gather the best available information in a single place so that decision makers can be fully informed when they make their choices. This is the process of EIS Environmental Impact Statement Often, the agencies responsible for preparing an EA or EIS do not compile the document directly, but outsource this work to private-sector consulting firms with expertise in the proposed action and its anticipated effects on

7238-404: The public. The NEPA was the first piece of legislation that created a comprehensive method to assess potential and existing environmental risks at once. It also encourages communication and cooperation between all the actors involved in environmental decisions, including government officials, private businesses, and citizens. In particular, an EIS acts as an enforcement mechanism to ensure that

7332-533: The routes within the system. Trains run from approximately 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. Many of the stations feature public art. A total of 30 artists have created 50 art works with various themes for the stations. For example, the Liberty State Park station features glass tiles representing a number of "fallen flag" railroad logos. Park and ride lots are available at East 22nd Street, East 34th Street, West Side Avenue, Liberty State Park and Tonnelle Avenue. In total, there are 3,880 parking spaces. Paid transfer to

7426-544: The same type of vehicle, with slight modifications to the trucks and wheels due to the different rails used. On July 3, 2013, NJ Transit released lengthened light rail car 2054 as a prototype. The expanded car consists of two new sections, increasing length by 37 feet (11.28 m) to a total of 127 feet (38.71 m). Seating capacity is increased from 68 passengers to 102 passengers, with standing capacity increased accordingly as well. Overall capacity increases from approximately 200 per vehicle to 300 per vehicle. The prototype

7520-426: The spur line to West Side Avenue . Later that year, on November 18, the service was extended northward to Pavonia-Newport . On September 29, 2002, service was extended to Hoboken Terminal , which completed MOS-1, the first Minimum Operating Segment (MOS) of the project, at the cost of $ 992 million. MOS-2 involved several extensions costing a combined $ 1.2 billion. The first extension as part of MOS-2, which brought

7614-480: The state. In 2020 NJ Transit projected the extension to cost $ 1.18B USD As of December 2022, the project is still in its design phase, and NJT was given a $ 600K federal grant to study transit-oriented development along the proposed extension. However the FTA's refusal to review the 2018 EIS supplement is estimated to delay the project into 2025. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail ( HBLR )

7708-513: The system does not serve Bergen County , into which long-standing plans for expansion have not advanced due to repeated requests for new environmental review reports since 2007. The project was financed by a mixture of state and federal funding. With an eventual overall cost of approximately $ 2.2 billion to complete its initial operating segments, the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail was one of the largest ever public works projects in New Jersey. The system

7802-553: The system westward to either or both Secaucus Junction , a major interchange station of New Jersey Transit rail operations , and to the Meadowlands Sports Complex (MSC). Possible routes include one from Downtown Jersey City , via the Harsimus Stem Embankment and Bergen Arches , or an extension of the line from Tonnelle Avenue . Several studies have been conducted to determine the best future use of

7896-577: The wake of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge Collapse . NEPA does not prohibit the federal government or its licensees/permittees from harming the environment, instead it requires that the prospective impacts be understood and disclosed in advance. The intent of NEPA is to help key decisionmakers and stakeholders balance the need to implement an action with its impacts on the surrounding human and natural environment, and provide opportunities for mitigating those impacts while keeping

7990-506: Was amended in May 2017 to allocate $ 4 million to study the potential extension. Shuttle bus service formerly operated from the Liberty State Park station to the waterfront Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal in Liberty State Park . However, this service no longer runs, and as a result, there is a relatively long walk to access the Central Railroad terminal via mass transit. Since at least 2010, there have been proposals to build

8084-484: Was appropriated. In December 2017, NJ Transit approved a $ 5 million preliminary engineering contract for the extension project. Construction on the first phase of the extension began in March 2020. The results of the Jersey City/Hoboken Connectivity Study published in June 2011 identified the target area at southwestern Hoboken, Lower Jersey City, and Jersey City Heights as a potential site for

8178-438: Was approved by the Federal Transit Administration allowing for a period of public reaction. A separately-conceived and funded bridge at 69th Street in North Bergen, necessary for operation of the system, has been completed. In 2017 NJ Transit estimated that the line would open in 2029. In 2023 the FTA rescinded its intent to proceed with an EIS due to the 'all encompassing' changes in conditions since 2007. Original proposals for

8272-439: Was criticized by rail transit advocates, who argued that a system which required an additional transfer for Bergen commuters would be inefficient and that the original light-rail plan be implemented instead. The proposal was dropped when the manufacturer of DMUs, Colorado Railcar , went bankrupt. The proposal included two possible options for the northern end of the line. One build option would include stations in North Bergen at

8366-460: Was expected that, with a new gasoline tax passed in 2016, the state's Transportation Trust Fund would provide funding for the line. New Jersey Transit capital improvements budgets included $ 95 million in funding for environmental remediation for the project during 2018 through 2020. In August 2023 the FTA announced that it would not act on the 2018 supplement to the EIS, citing “all-encompassing changes” since then and requested more information about

8460-459: Was later abandoned in favor of the electrically operated system used by HBLR as were proposals to extend the line into Tenafly . The estimated cost of the project is $ 1.18 billion, though funding has not been secured. An initial $ 40 million has been allocated for design, engineering and environmental studies. The project requires approval of an environmental impact statement and Federal Transit Administration approval. Funding for completion if

8554-557: Was later extended to a 20-year period. Original plans called for extending the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail north to the Vince Lombardi Park & Ride in Ridgefield , south to 5th Street in Bayonne, and west to Droyer's Point in Jersey City. In Hoboken, the line was to have originally been configured as a through-running operation, with an alignment built closer to the river which would have given closer access to both

8648-409: Was not ruled out as a future possibility. The Meadowlands Rail Line was eventually opened in 2009. In 2022, state introduced a plan for a new east-bound Route 3 Bridge over the Hackensack River . Pilings would support a light rail extension, though no there is no projected timeline for service. The Bayonne Bridge connects Bayonne and Staten Island , a borough of New York City . The bridge

8742-464: Was originally built to accommodate two extra lanes that could be used for light rail service. In the 2010s the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey raised the roadbed of the bridge by 64 feet (20 m), in order to provide the 215-foot (66 m) clearance required by the newer post-panamax container ships to pass under it. Final plans for the reconstructed bridge eventually did not include

8836-441: Was placed on rotations through the three lines of the system over the next 6 months, after which, NJ Transit started to expand 26 cars in total, or half of the total fleet. The contract to expand the remaining balance of 25 cars was approved on July 9, 2014. The expanded cars were renumbered to the 5000 series. In May 2011 NJT announced a plan for 0.7-mile (1.1 km) extension of the West Side Branch. The project, which requires

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