Politicos Hope Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Expansion Will Spur Growth in Hudson County

JERSEY CITY, NJ—New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop joined Hudson County officials and NJ TRANSIT leaders to highlight early progress on construction of a projected $220-million expansion of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service here.

The expansion of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail’s West Side Avenue Branch will add a new station that officials believe will encourage growth along the Hackensack River waterfront.

“I am thrilled to announce the West Side Avenue extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail today, as this project represents the type of smart, 21st century infrastructure needed for New Jersey’s commuters and economic future,” said Gov. Murphy. “Continued expansion of mass transit is fundamental to creating a more innovative, interconnected state. I look forward to working with NJ TRANSIT and our regional partners to deliver a fully accessible Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system.”

This project will extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail West Side Avenue Branch from its current terminus at West Side Avenue to a new terminus across Route 440. The approximately 3,700-foot route extension will include one new station west of Route 440 to support Jersey City’s planned development on the Hackensack waterfront. The project is currently in its preliminary engineering phase.

“This is exciting for Jersey City and residents of the West Side,” said Jersey City Mayor Fulop. “With the city progressing on Bayfront, the largest mixed-income housing development in the region, this light rail extension is crucial to our city’s growth. This is a good day for Jersey City.”

The mayor noted that Jersey City acquired the approximately 95 acres property adjacent to the project site last year that will be the largest mixed-use development in the region (Bayfront) that will eventually feature between 7,000 units to 8,000 units of residential housing. He also noted that approximately 35% of the units will be earmarked as affordable.

HBLR is a 17.5-mile light rail system that operates in Hudson County and serves the cities and townships of Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Weehawken, Union City and North Bergen. HBLR has three routes: Tonnelle Avenue, operating between North Bergen and Hoboken; 8th Street, operating between Bayonne and Hoboken; and West Side Avenue, operating between Jersey City and North Bergen. The West Side Avenue Branch operates between the West Side Avenue Station in Jersey City and Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen.