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In 2023, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rescinded its Notice of Intent (NOI) to consider NJ TRANSIT’s previously submitted environmental impact statement, citing changes in environmental conditions such as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.