Passaic–Bergen–Hudson Transit Project
| Company type | Transit project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1996 (West Shore Region Study launch) |
| Headquarters | New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson counties, New Jersey |
Key people | Bill Pascrell (coalition founder) |
| Products | Passenger rail service |
| Website | http://fhiplansurvey.com/Passaic-Bergen/ |
The Passaic–Bergen–Hudson Transit Project is under evaluation by NJ Transit to reinstate passenger rail service along a portion of the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYSW) corridor traversing Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson counties. The initiative proposes deploying newly constructed, FRA-approved diesel multiple unit trains. Service would extend from Hawthorne heading southward through Paterson, then east to Hackensack, and southeast to North Bergen, where it would connect with the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR).
NJ Midland and NYS&W
This route was originally established by the New Jersey Midland Railway in 1872. The NJ Midland and associated railroads were consolidated into the NYS&W in 1881. NYS&W provided passenger rail service until June 30, 1966. Passenger operations terminated at Pavonia Terminal in Jersey City until 1961, after which service ended at Susquehanna Transfer in North Bergen until its closure in 1966. Opened on August 1, 1939, Susquehanna Transfer facilitated bus connections through the Lincoln Tunnel. Presently, NYSW freight activity concludes at the Landbridge Terminal adjacent to the North Bergen Yard near Secaucus Road.
West Shore Region Study
Launched in 1996 by NJ Transit alongside regional stakeholders, the West Shore Region Study evaluated multimodal transit possibilities within areas once served by the West Shore Railroad across Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties. A 1999 alternatives analysis identified three potential projects: the Northern Branch corridor (light rail transit), Cross County corridor (light rail transit), and West Shore corridor (commuter rail). Of these options, only the first two progressed further. The Vince Lombardi Park & Ride was assessed as a prospective transfer point among HBLR, Cross County, and West Shore lines.
Cross-County LRT
Originally conceived as an extension of the HBLR from Maywood to Hoboken Terminal, the Cross-County LRT assumed that HBLR would terminate at Vince Lombardi Park & Ride. Alternative routes considered included a western endpoint near Saddle Brook/Interstate 80 and a path through the Edgewater Tunnel to reach the Hudson Waterfront.
By 2001, plans evolved to expand service further to Paterson and eventually to the Hawthorne station in Passaic County. This led to an Investment Study/Draft Environmental Impact Statement for what was termed the Bergen-Passaic Cross County Corridor, which by 2002 was renamed the Bergen-Passaic Rail Line.
Due to financial constraints and operational complications near the North Bergen Yard, the HBLR terminus was relocated eastward to the Tonnelle Avenue station in North Bergen. Concurrently, there were plans to extend HBLR service along the Northern Branch. This adjustment received approval from state authorities, with federal funding sought to support both the revised terminus location and its integration with Bergen Cross-County DMU operations.
Passaic–Bergen Rail
By 2003, the initiative had adopted the name Passaic-Bergen Rail Line. With the terminus at HBLT finalized and FRA-approved rolling stock available, plans shifted to operate service from Hawthorne to Hackensack along the NYSW corridor utilizing newly procured equipment.
In 2004, NJ Transit introduced the Tri-County Rail Concept Plan, aiming to combine existing freight corridors with new track construction to establish a transit network serving Hudson, Bergen, and Passaic counties.
By 2006, NJ Transit was investigating FRA-compliant diesel multiple unit vehicles and considering route adjustments. The project was proposed as an extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail System, running from the Vince Lombardi park-and-ride facility through Maywood and potentially reaching Paterson.
In 2007, NJ Transit projected that construction for the Passaic-Bergen Passenger Service Restoration Project would commence in early 2009, with a duration of approximately three years and a budget estimated at $156 million. NJ Transit agreed to compensate NYSW over $20 million for a 75-year trackage easement. The project encompassed the corridor between Hawthorne and Hackensack and engaged SYSTRA for planning and engineering services.
The proposed line would cover roughly 8.3 miles east to west, connecting Hawthorne—offering a Main Line transfer—with Hackensack. Plans included five stations within Paterson and one in Elmwood Park, while passing through Saddle Brook, Rochelle Park, and Maywood without stops. Hackensack was slated to have two stations, including a terminus at State Street. New track would be installed adjacent to existing freight lines; however, the river crossing at Hawthorne would remain a single track shared by freight and passenger trains.
Although beyond the project's boundaries, Hackensack replaced a rail trestle near the planned terminus in 2013, incorporating features to accommodate an additional track and passenger platform.
Potential stations (2019)
- Hawthorne (Main Line Transfer)
- 6th Avenue – Paterson
- Lafayette Street
- Madison Avenue
- 20th Avenue
- Vreeland Avenue
- Boulevard – Elmwood Park
- Bergen County Line Transfer
- Rochelle Avenue
- Maywood Avenue
- American Legion Drive – Hackensack University Medical Center
- Pascack Valley Line Transfer
- State Street – Hackensack or Downtown-River Street
Passaic–Bergen–Hudson Transit
In October 2015, U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell alongside state legislators established a coalition dedicated to revitalizing the project,[1] with resolutions passed by local authorities in January 2016 to restart efforts.[2]
By August 2017, NJ Transit issued a request for proposals aimed at evaluating current infrastructure conditions and community requirements,[3] broadening the scope to include integration with the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR).[4]
The Passaic–Bergen–Hudson Transit initiative envisions connecting the NYSW right-of-way with HBLR services, incorporating additional stations beyond those identified in the 2007 environmental impact statement along with new transfer locations. It may reposition a Hackensack station closer to the Hackensack Bus Terminal. The route crosses the Hackensack River reaching Bogota and Ridgefield Park before spanning Overpeck Creek to arrive at Vince Lombardi Park & Ride near the New Jersey Turnpike in Ridgefield. From there, it proceeds northward to North Bergen, concluding at HBLR's Tonnelle Avenue station. Consideration is being given to utilizing the Edgewater Branch near the 91st Street HBLR station.[5]
As of 2015, funding had not been secured for rebuilding the two-track NYS&W bridge over Overpeck Creek—a vital freight corridor handling approximately 25,000 rail cars annually.[6] This century-old bridge collapsed in 2018 but was effectively replaced by 2020 through state financing.[7]
The project was excluded from NJ Transit's ten-year capital plan released in 2020.[8]
Proposed Stations (2019)
- West Fort Lee Road – located in Bogota
- Central Avenue – situated in Bogota
- Mount Vernon Street – serving Ridgefield Park
- Vince Lombardi Park & Ride (Ridgefield) – envisioned rail stop intended to link Ridgefield with Hawthorne and Tonnelle Avenue utilizing the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway corridor
- 91st Street – considered as an alternative for the Edgewater Branch
- 69th Street – positioned in North Bergen
- Tonnelle Avenue
See also
- Tram-train
- Hawthorne station (New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad)
- NYSW (passenger 1939–1966) map
- HBLR map
- HBLR Northern Branch map
- List of crossings of the Upper Passaic River