HBLR Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

This notice is to announce the release of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for the proposed extension of the NJ TRANSIT Hudson Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) system from the West Side Avenue Station to a new station to be located west of Route 440 near Culver Avenue at the planned Bayfront development in Jersey City, NJ. The FONSI marks the final step in the project’s environmental review process.

NJ TRANSIT is conducting the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Route 440 Extension Project in accordance with the FTA procedures for new transit projects. As part of those procedures, FTA must make a determination about the project’s environmental impacts in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). After the NEPA review, FTA can approve development of the final design for the project and potentially provide funding.

NJ TRANSIT prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project in accordance with NEPA that evaluated the project’s potential to result in environmental impacts. The EA was completed in September 2013 and a 30-day public comment period was provided on the document. During the comment period, a public meeting was held on October 8, 2013, to solicit comments.

Following completion of the comment period, based on its review of the EA and comments received, FTA issued a FONSI for the project on June 27, 2014.

You can view the project documents by clicking on the links below:
• Environmental Assessment
• FONSI
• FTA Letter

PROJECT STATUS

Early action work has been completed for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Route 440 Extension Project (HBLR Route 440 Extension Project).

In May 2020, NJ TRANSIT restored service to the West Side Avenue Station, following the reopening of Martin Luther King Drive and Garfield Avenue stations the previous month. Service had been suspended for approximately nine months on the West Side Avenue Branch while the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (JCMUA) repaired a deteriorating sewer pipe that ran directly underneath the light rail tracks.

While this utility work took place, NJ TRANSIT completed early construction work for the HBLR Route 440 Extension Project, including upgrades to the stairs and platform area at the West Side Avenue Station. These upgrades were completed in September 2020 and are in preparation for the future work that will extend the line west 3700 ft. to the new Bayfront Station.

The next steps being taken to complete the project include, but are not limited to, applying and seeking funding to complete the project, complete design, acquire the appropriate real estate and begin utility relocations.

PROJECT STATUS

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