Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Extension to Englewood Hospital Moves Forward
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
NJ TRANSIT has taken a decisive step toward realizing a long-awaited vision: extending the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) deep into Bergen County. The agency announced the issuance of a Request For Proposals (RFP) to hire a contractor to prepare the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project.
The proposed 10-mile extension, known as the Northern Branch project, would connect the current HBLR terminus at Tonnelle Ave. in North Bergen to a planned terminal at Englewood Hospital.
“NJ TRANSIT remains committed to extending the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail into Bergen County. This RFP is a concrete demonstration of that commitment,” stated NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri.
The Vision: Mobility, Economy, and Cleaner Air
The commitment comes with strong backing from local leaders who highlight the project’s transformative potential:
- Economic Well-being: State Senator Paul Sarlo called the extension “essential to the economic well-being of northern New Jersey” and a vital link for public transportation users.
- Regional Mobility: Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, noted the project will fulfill the “original vision of connecting Bergen and Hudson counties,” strengthening regional mobility.
- Quality of Life: Bergen County Executive James Tedesco welcomed the additional mass transit, stating the Northern Branch will enhance the lives of residents in one of the state’s most densely populated counties.
The ultimate goal is clear: take cars off the road, clean the air, and drive economic activity by fostering sustainable housing and improved transit options.
Where the New Service is Headed
The Northern Branch extension is currently proposed to include seven new station stops across five municipalities, utilizing existing CSX Transportation (CSX) railroad right-of-way:
- North Bergen
- Ridgefield
- Palisades Park
- Leonia
- Englewood (Terminal at Englewood Hospital)
The electric light rail service will operate on West Side Avenue in North Bergen before transitioning onto the former CSX tracks between 91st Street in North Bergen and the northern border of Englewood.
Clearing the Environmental Hurdle
The project faced a setback in 2023 when the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rescinded the previous Notice of Intent (NOI) related to the environmental statement, citing changes in environmental conditions since 2007, such as updated standards for flood plains, storm water management, and air quality.
NJ TRANSIT is now issuing a new contract for the DEIS to fully address these updated environmental requirements, a necessary and thorough step to move the vital project from planning into reality.
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I believe the line was initially supposed to terminate in Tenafly, but Tenafly residents hotly objected to having light rail service in their community. What a bunch of racists.
I already replied on Facebook about the removal of the CSX manmade hill and bridge at 83rd Street as part of the land switch to get the Erie right of way, to the east in order to plan for passenger service on the west shore. The Susquehanna passenger service between Hawthorne and there and as well there was also planned, those lines could have been connected to the Pascack Valley Line via the Meadowlands Extension and the Vince Lombardi Park & Ride on the NJ Turnpike; This was discussed in the 1990s planning meetings with Al Cafiero, let alone in 2007; I’d hate to have people all these years later to forget about all of that.
It should run up all the way Northvale. Sorry Tenafly NIMBYs. Train service has been in your backyard since the 1800’s.