NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit’s plans to extend Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service farther into Bayonne advanced today, with the Board of Directors authorizing the acquisition of all property necessary to construct a one-mile extension of the track alignment and a new station at 8th Street.
“The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line has been serving Waterfront communities since opening seven years ago,” Transportation Commissioner and N.J. Transit Board Chairman Kris Kolluri said. “The one-mile extension south in Bayonne will provide new neighborhoods with connections to N.J. Transit rail services, trans-Hudson ferries, PATH trains and park-and-ride facilities.”
“I would like to thank the Board of N.J. Transit for moving the light rail extension to 8th Street closer to reality. The Board’s actions will help enable rail construction to take place in Bayonne,” Bayonne Mayor and State Senator Joseph Doria said. “I look forward to the completion of the line to 8th Street and the benefits it will bring to our residents in 2009. I am hopeful that the businesses that will be moving as a result of the construction will be able to find other appropriate locations elsewhere in the City of Bayonne.”
In September 2006, the Board authorized the work needed to advertise a design/build contract, including completion of preliminary design work on the track alignment and the new station, as well as environmental work and other tasks associated with preparation of the design/build package.
With the design work well underway, the project will extend the light rail system from its current southern terminus at 22nd Street to a new station at 8th Street.
“This project will provide ready access to employment, education and recreational opportunities for thousands of new customers,” said N.J. Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles. “By extending the light rail one mile south, we will connect more Bayonne neighborhoods with other communities, as well as to trans-Hudson trains and ferries.”
From the elevated 22nd Street Station, the light rail tracks will be extended south, hugging the existing Conrail right-of-way along Avenue E. A viaduct will carry light rail vehicles over local streets to an elevated platform at the new 8th Street Station, which will feature an elevator and stairs between street and platform levels.
As a result of community meetings, the station will be located on the east side of Avenue C and on the south side of 8th Street, with architecture reminiscent of the old Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) station that once stood near the site.
N.J. Transit expects to have the property rights secured this fall. Construction is expected to start in 2008, with completion in late 2009.
— Railfanning.org News Wire
