New Jersey Transit is currently weighing a potential extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail from North Bergen to either Tenafly or Englewood in Bergen County. Both alternatives call for an additional 91st and Tonnelle Avenue stop to be built in North Bergen, as well as a 4-acre 85th Street and Tonnelle Avenue substation for NJ Transit vehicles.
The light rail currently stretches from the recently constructed Eighth Street stop in Bayonne to the Tonnelle Avenue Station near 51st Street in North Bergen. Passengers pay one-way fares of $2. 10 (senior citizens and children are $1.05.
The agency's "Preferred Alternative" would be to extend North Bergen's Tonnelle Avenue station an additional 12 miles to a new station in Tenafly, with stops in Englewood, Leonia, Palisades Park, and Ridgefield.
A second alternative under consideration would be to extend the existing Tonnelle station roughly eight miles to Englewood – near Route 4 – with stops in Leonia, Palisades Park, and Ridgefield, with a total of five new stops.
Public hearings were held last month allowing residents to comment on the recent draft Environmental Impact Study, or EIS, released by NJ Transit. The EIS details the potential economic, social, and environmental effects of the project, according to the website. The process is required for a project to be eligible for federal capital funds.
NJ Transit spokesperson John Durso Jr. said that the public can still comment on the EIS draft, located on the agency's website, by visiting northernbranchcorridor.com.
Durso said that the 91st Street station stop would encompass half an acre. According to the EIS, the station would have a parking facility with 40 spaces as well as a passenger drop-off area.
Durso said that the 85th street substation would be a NJ Transit vehicle facility. The size of the lot is expected to be nearly 4 acres.
According to Durso, neither North Bergen facility would require the displacement of businesses or residences.
"Approximately a little over $7 million has gone into the draft Environmental Impact Statement," said Durso. "It's a mix of state and federal funds."
Durso said a timeline for the project has not been set.
"We want to make sure that the community is fully aware of the plan and can also offer their comments and feedback," he said.
North Bergen Town Spokesman Phil Swibinski said that the town has not been given specific plans, and therefore declined to offer specifics about the town's role in the construction. He did say, however, that the project "could have significant benefits to the community."
"North Bergen has not been made aware of any specific plans to build new light rail stations within the township," said Swibinski.
Swibinski said that North Bergen would not have to approve plans proposed by NJ Transit.
"The town wouldn't have any direct control over [NJ Transit's plans]," said Swibinski. "NJ Transit essentially is able to condemn properties. They have the ability to build what they want."
"In the past they always take community input into consideration," continued Swibinski. "If they were planning to build a light rail station in North Bergen we would assume that they would seek community input. "
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"We would assume that they would seek community input." – Paul Swibinski
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According to the EIS, the Tenafly alternative would cost 25 percent more than the Englewood option. The estimated cost in 2008 dollars is $865.93 million for the Tenafly option, and $685.97 million for the Englewood alternative. The forecasted annual revenues for the project are $8.5 million and $5.7 million for the Tenafly and Englewood options, respectively.
The EIS lists several objectives and goals of the project, including attracting riders to Transit, improving travel time, reliability, and convenience, and supporting development in Bergen and Hudson Counties, including the Hudson River waterfront.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.
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