NJ TRANSIT Releases Draft Environmental RFP for Hudson-Bergen Extension
The proposed 10-mile extension would provide light rail service from the current terminus at Tonnelle Ave. in North Bergen up to a currently anticipated terminal at Englewood Hospital.
The Northern Branch project, as currently proposed, will extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system by 10 miles and include seven new station stops in five municipalities.
Photo: METRO
NJ TRANSIT is continuing to advance its extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail into Bergen County by issuing a Request For Proposals (RFP) to hire a contractor to prepare the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
The proposed 10-mile extension would provide light rail service from the current terminus at Tonnelle Ave. in North Bergen up to a currently anticipated terminal at Englewood Hospital.
“NJ TRANSIT remains committed to extending the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail into Bergen County,” said NJ TRANSIT President/CEO Kris Kolluri. “This RFP is a concrete demonstration of that commitment. Providing mass transit options to all regions of New Jersey reduces car usage, improves air quality, and fosters economic growth and sustainable housing development. And a multitude of other benefits.”
The Northern Branch Project
The Northern Branch project, as currently proposed, will extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system by 10 miles and include seven new station stops in five municipalities.
The electric light rail service would operate on West Side Avenue in North Bergen and then on the existing railroad right-of-way owned by CSX Transportation (CSX) between 91st Street in North Bergen and the northern border of Englewood, introducing five new station stops.
In 2023, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rescinded its Notice of Intent (NOI) to consider NJ TRANSIT’s previously submitted environmental impact statement, citing changes in environmental conditions such as floodplains, stormwater management, and air quality, which have occurred since 2007.
NJ TRANSIT determined that the scope of work required to update the environmental impact statement would need a new contract. At that time, work began to assess and prepare the requirements included in the current RFP.
More Rail
New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record
Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.
Read More →
Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges
The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.
Read More →
Stadler, CapMetro Sign Long-Term Rail Fleet Support Agreement
Beginning in 2027, Stadler will provide on-site technical expertise, spare parts support, training, and obsolescence management to help extend the reliability and longevity of CapMetro’s GTW fleet.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
CATS Gold Line Marks 5 Years of Service, 2.8M Passenger Trips
With a six-mile expansion planned, the Charlotte streetcar is positioned to connect more neighborhoods and major transit hubs across the region.
Read More →
Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations
Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.
Read More →
Amtrak Begins Major Construction at New York’s Sunnyside Yard
The new maintenance facility will support Amtrak’s Airo trainsets while improving maintenance efficiency and turnaround times in New York.
Read More →
Chicago Leaders Unveil Plans for O’Hare Airport Express Train
The privately developed project would offer a 15-minute trip between downtown and O’Hare’s Terminal 2, with trains operating every 15 minutes on a dedicated track. The service would use battery-electric trains and three existing freight rail rights-of-way.
Read More →
OCTA Maps Out 30-Year Strategy to Protect Coastal Rail Corridor
The draft feasibility report identifies strategies to protect the coastal rail line for decades as the agency continues near-term stabilization and sand placement efforts.
Read More →