Kerrie Joyce 
New Jersey commuters have had a whirlwind week of news headlines coming from NJ Transit and the New York / New Jersey Port Authority. The most recent of the headlines was an announcement on Friday, November 14th, that the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line will undergo a 10-mile expansion with seven new stops. Read on for more information about the new railway expansion plan.
Building into Bergen County
The Hudson-Bergen line currently only extends as far as North Bergen. The new plan, titled “The Northern Branch Project”, from NJ Transit will bring the Light Rail tracks 10 miles further north to an anticipated terminal at Englewood Hospital. There will be seven stops added across five municipalities, including North Bergen, Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Leonia, and Englewood.
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The project is still in the early stages of planning, and riders will likely have to wait a year or two before construction begins. The environmental impact statement considers potential impacts of the project on surrounding areas, including noise, wildlife, air quality, infrastructure, traffic patterns, and more.
Per press release, NJ Transit announced that it issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to hire a contractor to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). As the proposal is currently written, the electric railway would be located along West Side Avenue in North Bergen and the existing railroad right-of-way owned by CSX Transportation between 91st Street in North Bergen and the northern Border of Englewood.
Northern Branch Corridor Project Proposal via NJ Transit
A previous version of the plan, titled “The Northern Branch Corridor Project” was published for public commentary in 2011. The original plan extended service to Tenafly, which was opposed by residents and community leaders. The Federal Transit Administration rescinded its Notice of Intent to review that Environmental Impact Statement in 2023 since environmental conditions have changed since its writing in 2007.
What Officials Say
“NJ TRANSIT remains committed to extending the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail into Bergen County,” said NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri. “This RFP is a concrete demonstration of that commitment. Providing mass transit options to all regions of New Jersey takes cars off the road, cleans the air we breathe, and drives economic activity, sustainable housing, and a multitude of other benefits.”
“As one of the most densely populated counties in the state, Bergen County welcomes additional mass transit options,” Bergen County Executive James Tedesco added, “The Northern Branch project will fulfill that need and enhance the lives of all who call Bergen County home. I thank NJ TRANSIT for continuing this vital project.”
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As part of the EIS process, there will be an opportunity for public comment once the draft is complete for a minimum period of 45 days.
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