Hudson–Bergen Light Rail#Rolling stock

Hudson County, New Jersey, is the sixth-most densely populated county in the U.S.{{cite web |title=United States -- County by State, and for Puerto Rico GCT-PH1. Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000 |work=American Fact Finder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-CONTEXT=gct&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTPH1_US9&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=&-format=US-25 |access-date=May 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212213452/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-CONTEXT=gct&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTPH1_US9&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=&-format=US-25 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 }} and has one of America's highest percentages of public transportation use.{{Citation |last=Vardi |first=Nathan |title=America's Top Public Transportation Cities |newspaper=Forbes Magazine |date=August 1, 2011 |url=https://blogs.forbes.com/nathanvardi/2011/08/01/americas-top-public-transportation-cities/ |access-date=August 2, 2011}}{{cite report |title=Targetting Transit:Assessing Transit Opportunities Around New Jersey's Transit Stations |publisher=New Jersey Future |date=September 2012 |url=http://www.njfuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Targeting-Transit-New-Jersey-Future.pdf |access-date=October 10, 2012}} During the 1980s and early 1990s, planners and government officials realized that alternative transportation systems needed to be put in place to relieve increasing congestion{{Citation |last=Demasters |first=Karen|title=Road and Rail North Jerseyans hit the road often survey finds |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 16, 2000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/16/nyregion/road-and-rail-north-jerseyans-hit-the-road-often-a-survey-finds.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fT%2fTransit%20Systems }} along the Hudson Waterfront, particularly in the vicinity of the Hudson River crossings.{{cite news |last=Kerr |first=Peter |access-date=September 1, 2009 |title=Kean Proposes Transit Plan For Waterfront |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 27, 1989 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/27/nyregion/kean-proposes-transit-plan-for-waterfront.html}} After extensive studies, it was decided that the most efficient and cost-effective system to meet the growing demands of the area would be a light rail system, constructed in several phases.{{cite web |title=Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System, USA |publisher=Railway Technology.com |url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/hudson/ |access-date=May 15, 2011}}

The design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the system is part of a public-private partnership. In 1996, New Jersey Transit awarded a "DBOM" (design/build/operate/maintain) contract to the 21st Century Rail Corporation, a subsidiary of Washington Group International, an engineering and construction consulting firm later acquired by URS, then AECOM. Under the contract, 21st Century Rail would deliver a fleet of vehicles, a guaranteed completion date, and 15 years of operation and maintenance of the system, for a fixed price. The agreement was later extended to a 20-year period.{{cite web |title=Hudson-Bergen Light Rail |publisher=URS |url=http://www.wcc.com/Projects/projView.php?s=834&sec=14&pn=8 |access-date=May 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320170356/http://www.wcc.com/Projects/projView.php?s=834&sec=14&pn=8 |archive-date=March 20, 2012 }}

File:Hoboken HBLR Alignments.png

Original plans called for extending the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail north to the Vince Lombardi Park & Ride in Ridgefield, south to 5th Street in Bayonne, and west to Droyer's Point in Jersey City.{{Cite report |author1=Berliner, Harvey L |author2=Campo David, W. |author3=Dickerson, Charl |author4=Mack Glenn |title=Design and Construction of the Weehawken Tunnel and Bergenline Avenue Station for the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail Transit System |publisher=Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. and New Jersey Transit |url=http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec058/ec058.pdf |access-date=May 18, 2011 }} In Hoboken, the line was to have originally been configured as a through-running operation, with an alignment built closer to the river which would have given closer access to both the PATH station entrance and the bus terminal. This was shelved in favor of the current stub-end station in the southern end of Hoboken Terminal and the current route along an existing right-of-way at the foot of the Hudson Palisades on the city's west side.{{cite web |title=BASELINE REVIEW OF THE HUDSON-BERGEN LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM |url=https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/rt1999123.pdf |publisher=US Department of Transportation |access-date=14 December 2023}}

File:HBLRPaulusHook.JPG

The light rail opened to the public on April 15, 2000, with an initial operating segment connecting Bayonne 34th Street and Exchange Place, as well as the spur line to West Side Avenue. Later that year, on November 18, the service was extended northward to Pavonia-Newport. On September 29, 2002, service was extended to Hoboken Terminal, which completed MOS-1, the first Minimum Operating Segment (MOS) of the project, at the cost of $992 million.{{Cite press release |title=Project Complete |publisher=New Jersey Transit |date=May 2006 |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=Project001To |access-date=May 15, 2011 |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115082722/http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=Project001To |url-status=dead }}

MOS-2 involved several extensions costing a combined $1.2 billion. The first extension as part of MOS-2, which brought the light rail system southward to 22nd Street in Bayonne, was opened on November 15, 2003.[http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/press/2003releases/110603.htm Hudson-Bergen Light Rail moves further into Bayonne's Business District] New Jersey Department of Transportation Press release November 6, 2003. It also involved extending the line west and north of Hoboken Terminal into Weehawken. The line was completed to Lincoln Harbor on September 7, 2004,[http://www.njtransit.com/nn_press_release.jsp?PRESS_RELEASE_ID=1469 Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Opens in Weehawken – 2 new stations open in Hoboken] New Jersey Transit Press Release September 7, 2004. and to Port Imperial on weekends only on October 29, 2005.[http://www.njtransit.com/nn_press_release.jsp?PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2051 Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Arriving at Weehawken's Port Imperial Station] New Jersey Transit Press release October 24, 2005. The line was extended from Port Imperial to Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen on February 25, 2006,[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03E2DB163EF930A35751C0A9609C8B63 "New Jersey: Newark: 2 New Rail Stations To Open"], The New York Times, February 3, 2006. and light rail vehicles began running seven days a week to Tonnelle Avenue.[http://www.njtransit.com/nn_press_release.jsp?PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2183 New Light Rail Stations open in Union City and North Bergen] New Jersey Transit Press Release, February 25, 2006. Bus service on connecting routes was modified so that there would be more direct connections to Hudson–Bergen Light Rail stations.New Jersey Transit, Hudson County Bus Service Changes, Effective April 8, 2006, {{cite web |url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/sf_bu_schedules_bus_side1.pdf |title=side 1 |access-date=February 3, 2007 |archive-date=June 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620155640/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/sf_bu_schedules_bus_side1.pdf |url-status=dead }} {{small|(788 KB)}} and {{cite web |url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/sf_bu_schedules_bus_side2.pdf |title=side 2 |access-date=February 3, 2007 |archive-date=June 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620155644/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/sf_bu_schedules_bus_side2.pdf |url-status=dead }} {{small|(38.4 KB)}} The extension to a southern terminal at 8th Street opened January 31, 2011, at a cost of $100 million.{{Cite press release |title=8th Street Extension |publisher=New Jersey Transit |date=October 15, 2008 |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2452 |access-date=May 15, 2011}}{{Cite press release |title=8th Street Extension |publisher=New Jersey Transit |date=January 31, 2011 |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2662 |access-date=May 15, 2011 |archive-date=November 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115082801/http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2662 |url-status=dead }}

Service on the West Side Branch was suspended starting in June 2019 to allow for repairs to a sewer line running along the right-of-way.{{cite web | last=McDonald | first=Terrence T. | title=Light rail riders sound off on planned route suspension in Jersey City | website=nj.com | date=March 7, 2019 | url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2019/03/light-rail-riders-sound-off-on-planned-route-suspension-in-jersey-city.html | access-date=March 8, 2019}}{{cite web | title=West Side Avenue Light Rail Service to be Suspended Until 2020 | website=Jersey Digs | date=February 8, 2019 | url=https://jerseydigs.com/buses-replace-west-side-hudson-bergen-light-rail-service-for-nine-months-jersey-city/ | access-date=March 8, 2019}} Partial service was restored on the branch in April 2020 to the Garfield Avenue and Martin Luther King Dr. stations while the West Side Avenue station remained closed due to ongoing Bayfront-Route 440 extension construction.{{cite news |last1=Zeitlinger |first1=Ron |title=Two Hudson-Bergen light rail stations to reopen April 25 |url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2020/04/two-hudson-bergen-light-rail-stations-to-reopen-april-25.html |access-date=April 29, 2020 |agency=nj.com |date=21 April 2020}} Full service to the West Side Avenue station resumed in May 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2020/05/west-side-avenue-light-rail-station-to-reopen-may-23.html|title=West Side Avenue light rail station to reopen May 23|website=nj.com|date=May 21, 2020|access-date=June 1, 2020}}

On November 2024, it was announced that the operations of the system will be transitioned to ACI-Herzog JV by September 2025.{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2024 |title=NJ TRANSIT |url=https://www.njtransit.com/press-releases/nj-transit-approves-new-operator-hudson-bergen-light-rail-system |url-status=live |access-date=April 17, 2025 |website=NJ TRANSIT |language=en-US}}

File:HBLR diagram.svg

There are 24 stations along the routes within the system. Trains run from approximately 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

• {{Color box|#fd0|border=darkgray}} West Side–Tonnelle between West Side Avenue in Jersey City and Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen
• {{Color box|#008C4E|border=darkgray}} Hoboken–Tonnelle (weekdays only) between Hoboken Terminal and Tonnelle Avenue
• {{Color box|#009EDA|border=darkgray}} 8th Street–Hoboken, between 8th Street in Bayonne and Hoboken Terminal
• {{Color box|#009EDA|border=darkgray}} Bayonne Flyer, (weekday rush hours) between 8th Street in Bayonne and Hoboken Terminal, stopping at all Bayonne stations, Liberty State Park (southbound only), Essex Street, Exchange Place, Harborside Financial Center, and Newport

Many of the stations feature public art. A total of 30 artists have created 50 art works with various themes for the stations. For example, the Liberty State Park station features glass tiles representing a number of "fallen flag" railroad logos.

Park and ride lots are available at East 22nd Street, East 34th Street, West Side Avenue, Liberty State Park and Tonnelle Avenue. In total, there are 3,880 parking spaces.

Paid transfer to the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is possible at Exchange Place, Newport and Hoboken Terminal, where connections to NJT commuter rail service are also available. Paid transfer to New York Waterway ferries is also available at some stations. NJT and other buses serve most stations.{{clear}}

Like most other light rail services in the United States, the HBLR operates on a proof-of-payment system, in which riders must present their tickets upon request during random fare inspections.[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9405E7D8163CF93BA15751C0A96F958260 "They've Been Working on the Railroad (Cars)"], The New York Times, February 28, 1999. Accessed November 20, 2007. "There will one operator aboard each car, and fares will be under a proof of purchase system, a kind of honor system where a rider will be required to show a ticket if asked." Passengers must purchase tickets at NJ Transit ticket vending machines (TVMs) on or near station platforms or from the NJ Transit app. One-way, round-trip, and ten-trip tickets must then be validated at automated validators located near the TVMs, which date and time stamp the ticket for 60 minutes of use. NJ Transit's fare inspectors randomly check tickets on trains and at stations; {{as of|2014|lc=on}}, the fine for fare evasion is $100.{{cite news |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |title=NJ Transit's Light Rail ticketing system may tempt riders to cheat |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |date=November 6, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/11/should_you_bother_buying_a_ticket_for_nj_transits_light_rail_1.html#incart_m-rpt-1 |access-date=November 6, 2014}}

{{As of|2024|df=US}}, a one-way adult fare is $2.55. A monthly, unlimited pass is $80; holders of monthly passes can transfer to NJ Transit local buses without an additional fare. Senior citizens (62 and older; valid ID may be requested), passengers with disabilities, and children under 12 may travel on the light rail at a reduced fare of $1.25. The option to purchase a combined bus and light rail fare has been removed. Valid NJ Transit weekly and monthly rail passes, as well as 2-zone or greater bus passes, are also good for travel and do not need validation.[http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0100.pdf Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (as of 1/31/11)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009121734/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0100.pdf |date=October 9, 2015 }}, New Jersey Transit. Accessed June 29, 2011. Like the rest of NJ Transit's other transportation modes, it does not accept the MetroCard nor OMNY although it has plans to create a new fare payment system in the future.{{Cite web|last=Higgs|first=Larry|date=2019-06-06|title=NJ Transit takes a small step toward getting its own fare card, similar to NYC|url=https://www.nj.com/traffic/2019/06/nj-transit-takes-a-small-step-toward-getting-its-own-fare-card-similar-to-nyc.html|access-date=2019-10-02|website=NJ.com|language=en}}{{cite news|last=Higgs|first=Larry|title=NJ Transit takes first step to put a fare card in riders' hands by late 2024|url=https://www.nj.com/traffic/2022/04/nj-transit-takes-first-step-to-put-a-fare-card-in-riders-hands-by-late-2024.html|work=NJ.com|publisher=Advance Media|date=April 13, 2022}}

In May 2012, NJ Transit and NY Waterway introduced a monthly or ten-trip discounted combination fare for passengers using the HBLR and ferry at Weehawken Port Imperial.{{cite news |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |title=NJ Transit, NY Waterway collaborate for cheaper 'Surf and Turf' pass |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=May 31, 2012 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/nj_transit_ny_waterway_collabo.html |access-date=October 1, 2013 }}{{cite web |title=NJ Transit Joint Ticket |publisher=NY Waterway |url=http://www.nywaterway.com/NJTransitCombo.aspx |access-date=October 1, 2013 }} Monthly joint tickets are also available for ferry passengers using slips at Lincoln Harbor and 14th Street (Hoboken).{{cite web |title=Light Rail Tickets |publisher=New Jersey Transit |url=http://www.njtransit.com/ti/ti_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=LightRailTicketsTo |access-date=January 1, 2013}}

In February 2013, NJ Transit began offering free weekend parking at Tonnelle Avenue, Liberty State Park, West Side Avenue, 34th Street and 45th Street stations.{{cite press release |title=NJ TRANSIT OFFERS FREE HUDSON-BERGEN LIGHT RAIL PARKING ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS Five locations to offer free Sat./Sun. parking starting February 16 |publisher=NJT |date=February 13, 2013 |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2841 |access-date=July 12, 2013}}

File:HBLR tracks, Hudson & Sussex Streets, Jersey City.jpg in Jersey City]]

The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail system uses a combination of old rail and new exclusive rights-of-way for most of its length, with some grade separation in certain areas. It shares a lane with automobiles on a portion of Essex Street in downtown Jersey City, but for the most part, does not operate with other traffic. At-grade crossings are equipped with transit-signal priority signals to automatically change traffic lights in favor of the light rail.

A new curved viaduct was constructed eastward from 8th Street to 11th Street in Bayonne to join the existing right-of way to Liberty State Park, which was once the main line of the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ), parts of which rest on the bed of the Morris Canal; CNJ's Newark and New York Branch right-of-way was used for the line west to West Side Avenue.{{Cite report |last=Fazio |first=A.E. (Widener University) |author-link=Hickey |author2=T.R. Parsons Brinckerhof |title=Operations and Communications Designing New Light Rail Taking Engineering Beyond Vanilla |publisher=Transportation Research Circular E-C058: 9th National Light Rail Transit Conference |url=http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec058/11_01_Fazio.pdf |access-date=May 5, 2011 }} From Liberty State Park to Hoboken Terminal the line uses a new right-of-way. From the terminal to the curve south of 2nd Street, the line runs parallel to NJT yard and tracks, formerly the main line of the Lackawanna Railroad; north of the curve it uses what had been Conrail's River Line, and was originally the New Jersey Junction Railroad. In order to obtain the right-of-way for the line north from Hoboken, NJT paid to upgrade the Northern Running Track, allowing Conrail to shift its operations. The tunnel and cut through the Palisades were originally the West Shore Railroad's main line.

File:HBLR 2017 at Pavonia.jpg]]

The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail system has 52 electrically powered air-conditioned vehicles built by Kinki Sharyo and numbered in the 2000 series. The cars were assembled in Harrison, New Jersey. The original fleet consisted of 54 cars, but 2 cars were transferred to the Newark Light Rail. Each vehicle is {{convert|90|ft|m|2}} long and has four sets of double-opening doors on each side, with seats for 68 passengers and standing room for another 122 passengers.

The Newark Light Rail system uses the same type of vehicle, with slight modifications to the trucks and wheels due to the different rails used.

On July 3, 2013, NJ Transit released lengthened light rail car 2054 as a prototype. The expanded car consists of two new sections,{{Cite web |url=http://imgick.nj.com/home/njo-media/pgmain/img/jersey-journal/photo/2013/07/-4e02ed798e43d3da.JPG |title=Jersey Journal |access-date=July 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714115312/http://imgick.nj.com/home/njo-media/pgmain/img/jersey-journal/photo/2013/07/-4e02ed798e43d3da.JPG |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} increasing length by {{convert|37|ft|m|2}} to a total of {{convert|127|ft|m|2}}. Seating capacity is increased from 68 passengers to 102 passengers, with standing capacity increased accordingly as well. Overall capacity increases from approximately 200 per vehicle to 300 per vehicle. The prototype was placed on rotations through the three lines of the system over the next 6 months, after which, NJ Transit started to expand 26 cars in total, or half of the total fleet.[http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2879 New Jersey Transit]. NJTransit.com (July 3, 2013). Retrieved on June 23, 2014.[http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/07/nj_transit_unveils_expanded_vehicle_on_hudson-bergen_light_rail.html NJ Transit unveils expanded Hudson-Bergen Light Rail vehicle]. NJ.com (July 3, 2013). Retrieved on June 23, 2014. The contract to expand the remaining balance of 25 cars was approved on July 9, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/njt-oks-lrv-add-ons.html?channel=Array |title=NJT OKs LRV add-ons – Railway Age |author=Douglas John Bowen |work=railwayage.com|date=July 9, 2014 }} The expanded cars were renumbered to the 5000 series.

File:West Side Av HBLR jeh.JPG

In May 2011 NJT announced a plan for {{convert|0.7|mi|km|adj=on}} extension of the West Side Branch. The project, which requires the approval of the metropolitan planning organization, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, to be eligible for federal funding, is estimated to cost $171.6 million.{{cite web |last=Whiten |first=John |url=http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2011/05/11/light-rail-extension-to-jersey-citys-west-side-gets-push-forward-from-nj-transit/ |title=Light Rail Extension to Jersey City's West Side Gets Push Forward from NJ Transit |work=The Jersey City Independent |publisher=Jersey City Independent |date=May 11, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006142157/http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2011/05/11/light-rail-extension-to-jersey-citys-west-side-gets-push-forward-from-nj-transit/ |archive-date=October 6, 2011 }}{{Cite press release |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2550 |title=NJ Transit Approves Study of Light Rail Extension |publisher=New Jersey Transit |date=16 September 2010 |access-date=20 January 2020 |archive-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019083259/http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2550 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Whiten |first=Jon |url=http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2010/08/23/west-side-light-rail-extension-project-picks-up-some-federal-funding/ |title=West Side Light Rail Extension Project Picks Up Some Federal Funding |newspaper=Jersey City Independent |date=August 23, 2010 |access-date=April 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712125400/http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2010/08/23/west-side-light-rail-extension-project-picks-up-some-federal-funding/ |archive-date=July 12, 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=21547 |title=Rail News – NJ Transit's board advances light-rail extension, awards transit center contract. For Railroad Career Professionals |work=Progressive Railroading}}{{cite web |url=http://www.cozinecreativecopy.com/uploads/HBLR_FactSheet.pdf |title=440 Fact Sheet |publisher=New Jersey Transit |date=February 2010 |access-date=May 15, 2011}}{{Cite press release |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2675 |title=NJ Transit Advances Light Rail Extension Project |publisher=New Jersey Transit |date=May 11, 2011 |access-date=May 15, 2011}}{{Cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Terrence |url=http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1305355226124931.xml&coll=3 |title=Jersey City is "thankful" for NJ Transit giving thumbs up to plan for extending Light Rail across Route 440 to serve proposed Bayfront development and New Jersey City University's planned western campus |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |date=May 14, 2011 |access-date=May 15, 2011}} The extension is part of a broader plan to transform the far West Side of Jersey City from previous industrial uses to mixed-use communities that also includes the development of the West Campus of New Jersey City University (currently under construction){{cite web |url=https://www.njcu.edu/news/groundbreaking-university-place-redevelopment-project |title=Groundbreaking at University Place Redevelopment Project |publisher=NJCU |date=September 18, 2017 |access-date=January 12, 2018}} and conversion of Route 440 to an urban boulevard.{{Cite report |last=Jacobs |url=http://www.440study.com/PDF%20Documents/PIC%20Mtg%20No%201%2003-09-10.pdf |title=Route 440/Routes 1&9 Multi-Use Urban Boulevard and Through Truck Diversion Concept Development Study |publisher=Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development and Commerce |date=March 9, 2010 |access-date=May 17, 2011 |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324041756/http://www.440study.com/PDF%20Documents/PIC%20Mtg%20No%201%2003-09-10.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{Cite report |url=http://www.440study.com/PDF%20Documents/Consultant%20Scope%20of%20Work.pdf |title=Scope of Work |publisher=www.440study.com |access-date=May 17, 2011 |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324041834/http://www.440study.com/PDF%20Documents/Consultant%20Scope%20of%20Work.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Terrence |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/03/hudson_county_road_projects_to.html |title=Wittpenn Bridge and Pulaski Skyway among Hudson County road projects to receive $551 million in state funding |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |date=March 25, 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.hblr440aa.com/link.php?link=Documents_761 |title=HBLR Route 440 Extension Alternatives Analysis |publisher=New Jersey Transit |access-date=May 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322185549/http://www.hblr440aa.com/link.php?link=Documents_761 |archive-date=March 22, 2012 }}

As of March 2017, funding for final design and engineering work was appropriated.{{cite web |title=FY17 Supplemental Appropriation List |publisher=NJ Transit |date=March 27, 2017 |url=http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/nj1015.com/files/2017/03/Official-FY17-Supplemental-Approps-List-3-27-17.pdf |access-date=April 16, 2017}} In December 2017, NJ Transit approved a $5 million preliminary engineering contract for the extension project.{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2017/12/post_940.html |title=Expansion of Hudson-Bergen light rail expected to get $5 million boost |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |date=December 9, 2017 |last=Zeitlinger |first=Ron |access-date=January 12, 2018}} Construction on the first phase of the extension began in March 2020.{{cite news |last1=Higgs |first1=Larry |title=New NJ Transit light rail will serve developments along N.J. waterfronts |url=https://www.nj.com/traffic/2020/03/new-nj-transit-light-rail-will-serve-developments-along-nj-waterfronts.html |access-date=4 March 2020 |agency=nj.com |date=3 March 2020}}

The results of the Jersey City/Hoboken Connectivity Study published in June 2011 identified the target area at southwestern Hoboken, Lower Jersey City, and Jersey City Heights as a potential site for a new station. The HBLR runs at the foot the Hudson Palisades under NJT's Hoboken Terminal lines with the 2nd Street station north of the ROW. The district is characterized as having an irregular street grid (including colonial-era Paterson Plank Road and Newark Plank Road), being heavily congested (often with Holland Tunnel–bound traffic) and undergoing transition to a residential/commercial uses.{{cite report |last=Eng-Wong, Taub and Associates |title=Jersey City/Hoboken Connectivity Study Final Report |publisher=Hudson County/NJTPA |date=June 2011 |url=http://www.hudsoncountynj.org/SharedFiles/Download.aspx?pageid=11&mid=183&fileid=296 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130173029/http://www.hudsoncountynj.org/SharedFiles/Download.aspx?pageid=11&fileid=296&mid=183 |archive-date=January 30, 2012 |access-date=November 1, 2012}} In September 2012, a walkway/bike path was completed near the site of the proposed station, providing better pedestrian access to it and the nearby 2nd St. station.{{cite news |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |date=November 11, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/11/4m_nj_transit_walkway_nearing_completion.html |title=One year late, $4M walkway linking Hoboken and Jersey City nearing completion |work=NJ.com |access-date=June 23, 2014}}{{cite news |last=Hortillosa |first=Dawn |title=Walkway Linking Second Street Light Rail to JC Heights Nearing Completion, as Pipeline Delays Nearby Park's Construction |work=Jersey City Independent |date=September 21, 2012 |url=http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2012/09/21/walkway-linking-second-street-light-rail-to-jc-heights-nearing-completion-as-pipeline-delays-nearby-parks-construction/ |access-date=November 1, 2012}}{{cite web |title=Hudson-Bergen Light Rail – 2nd Street Station Walkway |publisher=Hall General Contractors |url=http://www.hallgc.com/hblrwalkway/ |access-date=November 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205080705/http://www.hallgc.com/hblrwalkway/ |archive-date=December 5, 2013 }}{{cite web |title=Hudson Bergen Light Rail 2nd Street Station Esplanade |publisher=NJT |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=CapProjectDetailsTo&CapitalProjectId=14 |access-date=November 1, 2012}} It was announced in October 2012 that NJT had received a $400,000 grant to study the possibility of building a new station at 18th Street in Jersey City, just south of the municipal border and NJT commuter rail ROW.{{cite news |last=Hack |first=Charles |title=NJ Transit gets $400K grant to evaluate proposed Hoboken/Jersey City-border light rail station |work=The Jersey Journal |date=October 29, 2012 |url=http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2012/10/nj_transit_gets_400k_grant_to.html |access-date=November 1, 2012 }}{{cite news |last=Hortillosa |first=Dawn |title=NJ Transit Studying Possibility of Another Light Rail Stop in JC, Other HBLR Improvements |work=Jersey City Independent |date=October 26, 2012 |url=http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2012/10/26/nj-transit-studying-possibility-of-another-light-rail-stop-in-jc-other-hblr-improvements/ |access-date=November 1, 2012}}

In January 2020, the City of Jersey City began to consider 3.5% tax on public and private parking facilities to help fund the construction of a new light rail station at 18th Street.{{cite news|url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2020/01/jersey-city-council-to-mull-additional-parking-tax-aimed-at-out-of-towners.html|title=Jersey City council to mull additional parking tax aimed at out-of-towners|website=NJ.com|last=Rosario|first=Joshua|date=January 20, 2020|access-date=February 25, 2020}}

A 2021 proposal by Lefrak to build a two-tower mixed use development along the light rail ROW between Jersey Avenue & Grove Street including a light rail station, potentially funded in part by the developer.{{cite web | last=Fry | first=Chris | title=Holland Park Proposal Could Bring New Light Rail Station, 800 Units to Jersey City | website=Jersey Digs | date=February 16, 2021 | url=https://jerseydigs.com/holland-park-proposal-could-bring-new-light-rail-station-800-units-to-jersey-city/ | access-date=August 19, 2024}}

File:HBLR Hbkn-Whkn.jpg

According to The New York Times, NJT approved plans in June 2013 for a new light rail station in northwestern Hoboken, near property owned by the Rockefeller Group, which wanted to build a 40-story office tower in that area near the city's northern border with Weehawken.{{cite news |last=McGheenan |first=Patrick |author2=Balijan, Charles V. |title=How Pressure Mounted for Development in Hoboken |work=The New York Times |date=January 29, 2014 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/30/nyregion/powerful-allies-pushed-a-project-in-new-jersey.html?hpw&rref=nyregion&_r=1 |access-date=February 25, 2014}}{{cite news |title=NJ Transit approved nonbinding agreement for light rail station in northern Hoboken last year |newspaper=Hudson Reporter |date=January 30, 2014 |url=http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/24488703/article-BREAKING--NJ-Transit-approved-nonbinding-agreement-for-light-rail-station-in-northern-Hoboken-last-year |access-date=February 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305101053/http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/24488703/article-BREAKING--NJ-Transit-approved-nonbinding-agreement-for-light-rail-station-in-northern-Hoboken-last-year |archive-date=March 5, 2014 }} This agreement was not made known to the local government.{{cite news |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |title=Rockefeller Group, NJ Transit agreed to build new light rail station but left Hoboken mayor in the dark, report says |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |date=February 4, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/02/post_468.html |access-date=February 25, 2014}} but came to light after Mayor of Hoboken Dawn Zimmer, appearing on MSNBC on January 18, 2014,{{cite news |last=Kornacki |first=Steve |title=Christie camp held Sandy relief money hostage, mayor alleges |publisher=MSNBC |date=January 18, 2014 |url=http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/mayor-christie-camp-held-sandy-money-hostage |access-date=February 14, 2014}} claimed that Lt Governor Kim Guadagno and Richard Constable, director of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, had earlier insinuated to her that more Sandy relief funds would be released to the city if it approved the project proposed by Rockefeller.{{cite news |last=Freidman |first=Matt |title=Hoboken mayor claims Christie administration held city's Sandy recovery funds 'hostage' to help developer |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=January 18, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/hoboken_mayor_claims_christie_administration_held_citys_sandy_recovery_funds_hostage.html#incart_river |access-date=February 14, 2014}}{{cite news |last=Giambusso |first=David |author2=Baxter, Chris |title=Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer alleges Chris Christie's office withheld Sandy aid over development deal |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=January 18, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/zimmer_christie_hoboken_scandal_allegations.html |access-date=February 14, 2014}}{{cite news |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |title=Report: NJ Transit and law firm linked to Christie secretly agreed to build light rail station in Hoboken |work=NJ.com |date=February 13, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/02/report_nj_transit_and_law_firm_linked_to_christie_secretly_agreed_to_build_light_rail_station_in_hob.html |access-date=February 26, 2014}}{{cite news |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |title=Stand clear of the closing doors: NJ Transit still silent on secret Hoboken light rail deal |work=NJ.com |date=February 20, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/02/nj_transit_planned_secret_new_light_rail_station_in_hoboken_over_a_decade_ago.html |access-date=February 26, 2014}} The agreement is dated June 21, 2014.{{cite news |title=Non-binding MOU for a Potential New Light Rail Station in Hoboken's North End |date=June 21, 2014 |url=http://media.nj.com/hudsoncountynow_impact/other/Memorandum%20.pdf |access-date=February 25, 2014}} The plans showed a station at 17th Street and Clinton Street.{{cite news |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |title=NJ Transit releases missing details from secret Hoboken light rail agreement |work=NJ.com |date=February 26, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/02/nj_transit_releases_missing_details_from_secret_hoboken_light_rail_agreement.html#incart_river_default |access-date=February 26, 2014}}

In January 2020, Mayor Ravinder Bhalla met with representatives of NJ Transit to discuss a potential new station in the area.{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2020/01/another-light-rail-stop-coming-to-hoboken-mayor-nj-transit-meet-to-discuss-possibility.html |title=Another light rail stop coming to Hoboken? Mayor, NJ Transit meet to discuss possibility |last=West |first=Teri |date=20 January 2010 |website=NJ.com |access-date=20 January 2020}}{{cite web |last = Lisssner |first = Caren |title = UPDATE: Talks Renewed For 15th Street Hoboken Light Rail Stop |publisher = Patch |date = January 16, 2020 |url = https://patch.com/new-jersey/hoboken/talks-renewed-new-15th-street-light-rail-stop-hoboken|access-date = January 22, 2020}} It included in city's North End master plan.{{Cite web|url=https://hudsonreporter.com/2021/01/15/hobokens-industrial-northwest-reimagined/|title = Hoboken's industrial northwest reimagined| work=Hudson Reporter |date = January 15, 2021}}

{{Main|Northern Branch Corridor Project}}

Despite its name, the Hudson–Bergen Light Rail only serves Hudson County. The Northern Branch is a proposed extension from the current northern terminus at Tonnelle Avenue using the right of way of the former Erie Northern Branch into eastern Bergen County with a new terminus at the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. Stops would be added at 91st Street in North Bergen, Fairview, Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Leonia, and Englewood, with stops at Englewood Route 4 and Englewood Town Center.{{cite news |last=Rouse |first=Karen |title=NJ Transit scraps light rail proposal in Tenafly for potential new alternative |newspaper=The Record |date=May 1, 2013 |url=http://www.northjersey.com/englewood/NJ_Transit_scraps_light_rail_proposal_in_Tenafly.html |access-date=May 3, 2013 }}

An earlier proposal to use diesel multiple unit (DMU) vehicles was later abandoned[http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/bridges_tunnels/Going_with_electric_trains.html North Jersey.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721032820/http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/bridges_tunnels/Going_with_electric_trains.html |date=July 21, 2009 }} Accessed July 19, 2009. in favor of the electrically operated system used by HBLR as were proposals to extend the line into Tenafly. The estimated cost of the project is $1.18 billion,{{Cite press release|title=Capital Plan Project Sheets – Light Rail|publisher=New Jersey Transit|date=January 1, 2020|url=https://njtplans.com/downloads/capital-project-sheets/separated/NJ_Transit_Light_Rail.pdf|access-date=October 18, 2021}} though funding has not been secured. An initial $40 million has been allocated for design, engineering and environmental studies.{{cite news |last=Rouse |first=Karen |title=Going with electric trains |newspaper=The Record |date=July 19, 2009 |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/bridges_tunnels/Going_with_electric_trains.html |access-date=July 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721032820/http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/bridges_tunnels/Going_with_electric_trains.html |archive-date=July 21, 2009 }} The project requires approval of an environmental impact statement and Federal Transit Administration approval.{{cite news |title=Light Rail Line to Use Electric Cars |first=Tom |last=Davis |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/hudson/hudson_county_news/93048079_newstracker__LIGHT_RAIL_LINE_TO_USE_ELECTRIC_CARS.html |newspaper=The Record |date=May 7, 2010 |page=L1 |access-date=May 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511002825/http://www.northjersey.com/news/hudson/hudson_county_news/93048079_newstracker__LIGHT_RAIL_LINE_TO_USE_ELECTRIC_CARS.html |archive-date=May 11, 2010 }} Funding for completion if the environmental study, expected to take two years, was approved by NJ Transit in May 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/05/nj_transit_studying_extension.html |title=NJ Transit advances light rail extension to Bergen County |work=nj.com |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=May 10, 2013}} After being stalled {{as of|May 2017|lc=on}} funding for the project was thought to finally be proceeding in 2017, but no progress was made.{{cite web|url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/04/24/planning-for-hudson-bergen-light-rail-back-on-track-driven-by-revitalized-ttf/|title=Planning for Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Back on Track, Driven by Revitalized TTF – NJ Spotlight|website=www.njspotlight.com|last=Reitmeyer|first=John|date=April 25, 2017|access-date=May 28, 2019}} File:Canal Crossing HBLR Caven Point station site.jpg

The two branches of the HBLR system create the northern and eastern borders of Canal Crossing, a planned New Urbanist community in Jersey City. A new station at Caven Point Avenue is proposed on the Bayonne line along its eastern perimeter between current stations at Richard Street and Liberty State Park.{{cite web |title=Proposed Draft Canal Crossing Redevelopment Plan |publisher=Jersey City Redevelopment Agency |date=August 25, 2008 |url=http://www.thejcra.org/index.php?p=news&nid=83&PHPSESSID=ihjiavmjyighj |access-date=April 3, 2011}}{{cite web |title=Canal Crossing |publisher=www.jerseycitynj.gov |url=http://www.jerseycitynj.gov/hedc.aspx?id=2916 |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319070830/http://www.jerseycitynj.gov/hedc.aspx?id=2916 |archive-date=March 19, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.jerseycitynj.gov/uploadedFiles/City_Government/Department_of_Housing,_Economic_Development_and_Commerce/City_Planning/CanalCrossings111808.pdf|title=Proposed Canal Crossing Redevelopment Plan|access-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319070803/http://www.jerseycitynj.gov/uploadedFiles/City_Government/Department_of_Housing,_Economic_Development_and_Commerce/City_Planning/CanalCrossings111808.pdf|archive-date=March 19, 2012}} A feasibility study conducted in 2012 found that though the construction of a station at Caven Point Avenue was theoretically possible, it would be much more expensive than the average light rail station, while the projected ridership would be relatively low in the near-term.{{cite web|publisher=Jersey City Redevelopment Agency Canal Crossing Redevelopment Project|title=TASK 4 Feasibility Study for Proposed Caven Point Avenue Light Rail Station|url=http://thejcra.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Caven-Point-Avenue-Light-Rail-Station-Feasibility-Study_080712.pdf|date=July 31, 2012|author=URS Corporation|access-date=May 28, 2019|page=23}}

File:Northern Branch ROW now National Docks Secondary.jpg

There have been discussions to extend the system westward to either or both Secaucus Junction, a major interchange station of New Jersey Transit rail operations, and to the Meadowlands Sports Complex (MSC). Possible routes include one from Downtown Jersey City, via the Harsimus Stem Embankment and Bergen Arches, or an extension of the line from Tonnelle Avenue.{{Cite web |title=Annual Report 2008–2009 |publisher=New Jersey Association of Rail Passengers |date=November 19, 2009 |url=http://www.nj-arp.org/annrpt_09.pdf |access-date=May 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101043557/http://www.nj-arp.org/annrpt_09.pdf |archive-date=January 1, 2011 }}{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Al |title=Xanadu connection sought Divided freeholders vote to hire lobbyist for light rail to Meadowlands |newspaper=Hudson Reporter |date=February 13, 2004 |url=http://www.secaucusreporter.com/view/full_stories_ent/2396407/article-Xanadu-connection-sought-Divided-freeholders-vote-to-hire-lobbyist-for-light-rail-to-Meadowlands? |access-date=May 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720101337/http://www.secaucusreporter.com/view/full_stories_ent/2396407/article-Xanadu-connection-sought-Divided-freeholders-vote-to-hire-lobbyist-for-light-rail-to-Meadowlands |archive-date=July 20, 2011}}{{Cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Dan |last2=Sullivan |first2=Al |title=NJDOT unveils plans for Bergen Arches Light rail option to JC would benefit Secaucus, mayor says |newspaper=Hudson Reporter |date=November 1, 2002 |url=http://www.secaucusreporter.com/view/full_stories_ent/2385375/article-NJDOT-unveils-plans-for-Bergen-Arches-Light-rail-option-to-JC-would-benefit-Secaucus--mayor-says |access-date=May 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720101546/http://www.secaucusreporter.com/view/full_stories_ent/2385375/article-NJDOT-unveils-plans-for-Bergen-Arches-Light-rail-option-to-JC-would-benefit-Secaucus--mayor-says |archive-date=July 20, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nj-arp.org/annrpt_09.pdf%7ctitle=NJ-ARP%7cwork=nj-arp.org |title=NJ-ARP |work=nj-arp.org}}{{Cite report |title=Bergen Arches Through Jersey City Palisades |journal=Statewide Transportation Improvement Program |pages=Section II/6 |publisher=NJDOT/NJT |url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/capital/stip0811/pdf/stip_0811.pdf |access-date=May 17, 2011 }}{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Tom |title=Governor should look into train to nowhere |newspaper=The Record |location=Bergen County |date=May 13, 2011 |url=http://www.northjersey.com/columnists/121757013_Governor_should_look_into_rail_to_nowhere_.html |access-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930205152/http://www.northjersey.com/columnists/121757013_Governor_should_look_into_rail_to_nowhere_.html |archive-date=September 30, 2012 }}

Several studies have been conducted to determine the best future use of the Bergen Arches, the former Erie Railroad cut through Bergen Hill in Jersey City. A freeway proposed in 1989 by Governor Thomas Kean was strongly supported by then-Mayor Bret Schundler. In 1998, this project was allocated $26 million in the federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.{{cite web |access-date=September 1, 2009 |title=JERSEY PORTS:Newark-Jersey City projects |publisher=TollRoadsNews |date=July 4, 1998 |url=http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/2063 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706145046/http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/2063 |archive-date=July 6, 2008 }}{{cite web |last=DiMaria |first=Paul |title=Bergen Arches |publisher=Regional Transportation Advocate |date=December 1, 1998 |url=http://www.oocities.org/hartwheels/BArches_5.html |access-date=May 18, 2011}} During the 2001 mayoral race candidates instead lobbied for a mass transit line,{{cite web |access-date=September 1, 2009 |title=New Jersey City Mayor Could End Bergen Arches Highway Plan |publisher=Tri-State Transportation Campaign |date=May 28, 2001 |url=http://www.tstc.org/bulletin/20010528/mtr31908.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107122532/http://www.tstc.org/bulletin/20010528/mtr31908.htm |archive-date=January 7, 2009 }} and in 2002 the plans were dropped during Mayor Cunningham's administration.{{cite web |access-date=September 1, 2009 |title=Bergen Arches Concept Study Complete: Public Adamantly Opposes Roadway Option |publisher=Tri-State Transportation Campaign |date=October 28, 2002 |url=http://www.tstc.org/bulletin/20021028/mtr38903.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005825/http://www.tstc.org/bulletin/20021028/mtr38903.htm |archive-date=December 3, 2013 }} In that year, Parsons Brinckerhoff, a consulting firm, released another report commission by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) describing the conditions and analysis of various options.{{cite web |author=Parsons Brinckerhoff |title=Bergen Arches Study Final Report |publisher=NJDOT |date=September 2002 |url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/works/studies/bergenarches/pdf/cover.pdf |access-date=May 19, 2011}}{{cite web |title=Bergen Arches Study Overview |publisher=NJDOT |date=February 1, 2005 |url=http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/works/studies/bergenarches/ |access-date=May 18, 2011}} NJDOT has continued to fund studies for the project. In March 2011, an additional $13.4 million was allocated to advance the project.{{Cite news |title=Christie clears way for Hudson County transportation projects |newspaper=Hudson Reporter |date=March 25, 2011 |url=http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_stories_home/12501500/article--Christie-clears-way-for-Hudson-County-transporation-projects-?instance=up_to_the_minute_lead_story_left_column |access-date=May 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516043455/http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_stories_home/12501500/article--Christie-clears-way-for-Hudson-County-transporation-projects-?instance=up_to_the_minute_lead_story_left_column |archive-date=May 16, 2013}}

In the first decade of the 21st century, studies sponsored by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority were conducted to address mass transit options to the MSC, including the possible extension of HBLR from its northern terminus through Secaucus and across the Hackensack River.{{cite web |title=Response to Comments Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement Meadowlands Railroad and Roadway Improvement Project |work=Meadowlands Road and Railway Improvement Project Final Environmental Impact Statement |publisher=New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority |date=August 2005 |url=http://www.njsea.com/railroad/pdf/feis/Response%20to%20PEIS%20Comments.pdf |access-date=May 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724144712/http://www.njsea.com/railroad/pdf/feis/Response%20to%20PEIS%20Comments.pdf |archive-date=July 24, 2011 }}

At the time it was estimated that the extension would cost $1 billion.{{Citation |last=Smothers |first=Ronald |title=Party Promotes Huge Meadowlands Project as Critics Raise Concerns |date=October 6, 2004 |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B01E5DF163BF935A35753C1A9629C8B63 |work=The New York Times}} When it was decided to build a rail spur in 2004, state officials said that an HBLR extension was not ruled out as a future possibility. The Meadowlands Rail Line was eventually opened in 2009.{{cite news |title=N.J. officials launch rail service to Meadowlands |agency=Associated Press |date=July 20, 2009 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/nj_officials_launch_rail_servi.html |access-date=October 9, 2009}}

In 2022, state introduced a plan for a new east-bound Route 3 Bridge over the Hackensack River. Pilings would support a light rail extension, though no there is no projected timeline for service.{{cite news | url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/01/pols-announce-143-million-route-3-bridge-over-hackensack-river-and-talk-of-light-rail-too.html | title=Pols announce $143 million Route 3 bridge over Hackensack River and talk of light rail, too | last=Maher | first=Jake | date=January 25, 2022 | work=The Jersey Journal}}

File:Bard Av SIRT jeh.JPG "raising the roadbed" reconstruction plans]]

The Bayonne Bridge connects Bayonne and Staten Island, a borough of New York City. The bridge was originally built to accommodate two extra lanes that could be used for light rail service. In the 2010s the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey raised the roadbed of the bridge by {{convert|64|ft|m}}, in order to provide the {{convert|215|ft|m|adj=on}} clearance required by the newer post-panamax container ships to pass under it. Final plans for the reconstructed bridge eventually did not include a rail element.*{{cite news |last=Zeitlinger |first=Ron |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/01/2_public_meetings_scheduled_on.html#incart_river_default |title=2 public meetings scheduled on plan to raise Bayonne Bridge |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |date=January 4, 2012 |quote=Article including animation explanation reconstruction.}}

In September 2007, the S89 limited-stop bus service was introduced between Richmond Avenue in Staten Island and the 34th Street HBLR station.[http://www.mta.info/mta/news/releases/?en=070716 MTA NYC Transit Adds Bus Service from Staten Island to Hudson Bergen Light Rail, Advances MTA Commitment to Seamless Regional Transportation] MTA, July 16, 2007 {{As of|February 2018}}, it runs only during the weekday peak period.{{cite NYC bus|S89}}

While not having begun any studies, New Jersey Transit investigated the feasibility of extending HBLR from the 8th Street Station across the raised bridge.{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/bayonne/index.ssf/2011/01/hudson-bergen_light_rail_may_b.html |title=Hudson-Bergen Light Rail may be extended over Bayonne Bridge to Staten Island |work=NJ.com|date=January 13, 2011 }} An academic study has been produced in the Journal of Public Transportation.{{cite journal |last1=Gordon |first1=Cameron E. |first2=Bukurije |last2=Bajrami |first3=Nóra |last3=Tábori Santiago |first4=Jonathan |last4=Peters |title=A Bridge Too Far? The Staten Island/Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Missed Connection |journal=Journal of Public Transportation |volume=16 |issue=3 |pages=1–22 |year=2013 |doi=10.5038/2375-0901.16.3.1 |doi-access=free }} Completing any such extension would involve a collaboration between NJ Transit, New York State, and New York City.[http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9389 Cutting it close: Bayonne Bridge's height is trouble for ships and a costly question for the Port Authority] Wired New York, May 19, 2006. The development of a Staten Island light rail system which could connect with the HBLR system gained political support in New York.[http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1053&context=jpt Gordon, Cameron E., et al. 2013. A Bridge Too Far? The Staten Island/Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Missed Connection. Journal of Public Transportation, 16 (3): 1-22][http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=60287 Schumer Throws Support Behind S.I. Light Rail System] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060622134311/http://ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=60287 |date=June 22, 2006 }} NY1, June 18, 2006{{cite web |url=http://www.plannyc.org/taxonomy/term/730 |title=Staten Island North Shore and West Shore Light Rails |website=www.plannyc.org |access-date=May 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720133047/http://www.plannyc.org/taxonomy/term/730 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 }}{{Cite news |last=Wrobleski |first=Tom |url=http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/staten_island_congressman_want.html |title=Staten Island congressman wants Port Authority to build light rail link across Bayonne Bridge |newspaper=Staten Island Advance |date=January 13, 2011 |access-date=May 15, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2011/01/17/lrt-staten-island/ |title=A Light Rail Extension for Staten Island? |publisher=The Transport Politic |date=January 17, 2011 |access-date=May 15, 2011}} US Senator Robert Menendez supported the HBLR extension conceptually, but questioned the benefit for New Jersey.{{cite news |first=Terrance T. |last=McDonald |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2011/01/menendez_likes_idea_of_hblr_ex.html |title=Menendez likes idea of HBLR extension into Staten Island but wants specifics |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |date=January 27, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2011}} The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's 2015–2019 Capital Plan was amended in May 2017 to allocate $4 million to study the potential extension.{{Cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/capital/pdf/WEB2015-2019Program_reduced.pdf |title=MTA Capital Program 2015–2019 Renew. Enhance. Expand.Amendment No. 2 As Proposed to the MTA Board May 2017 |date=May 24, 2017 |website=mta.info|access-date=May 24, 2017}}{{cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Rachel |date=May 27, 2017 |title=MTA commits $4M for West Shore light rail study |newspaper=Staten Island Advance |url=http://www.silive.com/news/2017/05/mta_amended_budget_includes_4m.html |access-date=May 31, 2017}}

Shuttle bus service formerly operated from the Liberty State Park station to the waterfront Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal in Liberty State Park. However, this service no longer runs, and as a result, there is a relatively long walk to access the Central Railroad terminal via mass transit. Since at least 2010, there have been proposals to build a trolley line to the Central Railroad terminal building and other points in the park from the Liberty State Park Station light rail station to improve access.{{cite news |last=Kaulessar |first=Ricardo |url=http://hudsonreporter.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Trolley+through+Liberty+State+Park-+-Rail+fans+hope+to+bring+back+area%E2%80%99s+railroad+past-%20&id=3531094-Trolley+through+Liberty+State+Park-+-Rail+fans+hope+to+bring+back+area%E2%80%99s+railroad+past-&instance=lead_story_left_column |title=Trolley through Liberty State Park? |newspaper=Hudson Reporter |location=Hoboken |date=September 6, 2009 |access-date=May 30, 2010}} The Liberty Historic Railway organization is also attempting to jump start the construction of this trolley line.{{cite web |url=http://www.lhry.org/ |title=Liberty Historic Railway |publisher=Liberty Historic Railway Inc. |date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=August 10, 2014}} As of 2020, the Liberty Historic Railway Organization has ceased all work on the Liberty State Park trolley proposal as a result of the damage the park received from Hurricane Sandy and how vulnerable any rail infrastructure within the park associated with the proposed trolley would be to future storm surges.{{cite web|url=https://www.lhry.org/sitecommittee|title=2010-2014 Liberty State Park Initiatives|website=lhry.org|access-date=February 25, 2020}}

The light rail has been a catalyst for both residential and commercial development along the route and has played a significant role in the revitalization of Hudson County. Many of the stops are sited in vacant or underutilized areas, which are now beginning to see intense residential and mixed-use development.{{cite web |title=Livability: A Legacy of Northern N.J. Communities |work=Mobility Matters |publisher=New Jersey Regional Planning Association |date=Fall 2010 |url=http://www.njtpa.org/Pub/Report/documents/MM_newsletter_Fall10_000.pdf |access-date=April 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927173630/http://www.njtpa.org/Pub/Report/documents/MM_newsletter_Fall10_000.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}{{Cite report |title=Hudson–Bergen Light Rail System and Economic Development on the Waterfront |publisher=Booz Allen Hamilton |url=http://www.reconnectingamerica.org/assets/Uploads/bestpractice097.pdf |access-date=May 15, 2011 }} The line running along Essex Street in downtown Jersey City has spawned 3,000 residential units in five years. An {{convert|86|acre|m2|adj=on}} tract of land bordering Liberty State Park is being redeveloped into a transit-oriented development known as Liberty Harbor North, which will consist of 6,000 residential units and millions of square feet of commercial space.[http://www.dpz.com/project.aspx?Project_Number=9901&Project_Name=Liberty+Harbor+North Liberty Harbor North] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206033943/http://www.dpz.com/project.aspx?Project_Number=9901&Project_Name=Liberty+Harbor+North |date=February 6, 2012 }}, accessed January 3, 2007. Two New Urbanism projects in Jersey City, Bayfront and Canal Crossing, are being planned with the expectation that new stations will be built in conjunction with their development. Other developments are either planned or already underway in Hoboken, Union City, Bayonne, and Weehawken, in areas very near to light rail stations.{{cite web |last=Robins |first=Martin E. |author2=Wells, Jan S. |title=Land Development at Selected Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Stations |publisher=Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University |date=April 2008 |url=http://policy.rutgers.edu/vtc/reports/REPORTS/HBLR%20Final%20Report.pdf |access-date=April 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720043043/http://policy.rutgers.edu/vtc/reports/REPORTS/HBLR%20Final%20Report.pdf |archive-date=July 20, 2011 }}

{{div col}}

• Newark Light Rail
• River Line
• Light rail in the United States
• List of United States light rail systems by ridership
• Light rail in North America
• List of tram and light rail transit systems
• List of rail transit systems in the United States

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• "On track to reborn cityscape: The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line proves a boon for older urban areas" by Steve Chambers, Newark Star-Ledger, October 30, 2005.
• "Xanadu rail plan could be boon for N.J. official" by Shannon D. Harrington, The Record (Bergen County), May 6, 2005.
• "Light-rail link might cost $1B; Study for Meadowlands extension OK'd" by John Brennan, The Record (Bergen County), April 28, 2005.
• "Light rail to Tenafly is still a dream; NJ Transit says more study needed" by Soni Sangha, The Record (Bergen County), January 23, 2005.

{{Commons category|Hudson-Bergen Light Rail}}

{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}

• [https://www.njtransit.com/light-rail-to NJ Transit – Light Rail Schedules]
• [https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Transit_Hudson-Bergen_Light_Rail Hudson-Bergen Light Rail on nycsubway.org]

{{Hudson County Transportation Network}}

{{New York metro area rail}}

{{NYC streetcar transit}}

{{New Jersey Transit Light Rail}}

{{USLightRail}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hudson-Bergen Light Rail}}

Category:750 V DC railway electrification

Category:Light rail in New Jersey

Category:New Jersey streetcar lines

Category:NJ Transit Rail Operations

Category:Railway lines opened in 2000

Category:Standard-gauge railways in the United States

Category:Streetcars in New Jersey

Category:Transportation in Hudson County, New Jersey

Category:Passenger rail transportation in New Jersey