Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Extension
BAYONNE AND BEYOND
Background
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Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) is a vital light rail connection that links the growing cities of the Hudson River waterfront. HBLR serves the high-density commercial and residential centers in Jersey City and Hoboken and connects to ferries, PATH, and commuter rail. Beginning in Bayonne, the operating corridor extends through some of the nation’s most densely populated municipalities, a region noted for significant dependence on transit. New, 70 percent low-floor, electric-powered light rail vehicles are already serving the waterfront towns of Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne and Weehawken and will soon reach North Bergen and Union City. Traveling both on city streets and along separate rights of way, HBLR is the first public transit project in the nation to use the Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) construction methodology. In September 2000, NJ TRANSIT was awarded the American Public Transportation Association’s prestigious “Innovation Award” for use of the DBOM methodology. Click here to view a map of the system . |
Project Scope
HBLR is being realized in distinct segments. The first Minimum Operating Segment (MOS1) runs from 34th Street, Bayonne, to Hoboken Terminal. MOS2 runs from Hoboken Terminal to Tonnelle Avenue Park-N-Ride in North Bergen and also extends to 22nd St. in Bayonne.
Project Cost
MOS1: $992 million;
MOS2: $1.2 billion;
The project is funded by the FTA and the State of New Jersey. NJ TRANSIT has secured Full Funding Grant Agreements with FTA to fund 61 percent of the cost of MOS1 and 41 percent of the cost of MOS2.
Current Status
The first portion of MOS1 from Bayonne opened to Exchange Place in April 2000, and to Newport Mall in November 2000. Construction of MOS1 to Hoboken was completed in September 2002. Bayonne’s 22nd Street Station, the first of seven MOS2 stations, opened in November 2003. Service to Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken opened in September of 2004. MOS 2 was completed to Tonnelle Avenue on February 25, 2006.
Benefits
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail provides public transit service to the towns along the Hudson waterfront. The project supports the significant economic development that has taken place in this region of the state.
