Bill Text: NJ AR57 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Supports extension of Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line into Bergen County.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-1)
Status: (Passed) 2014-09-15 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR57 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR57-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Supports extension of Bergen-Hudson Light Rail line into Bergen County.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution supporting the extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line into Bergen County.
Whereas, In April 2000, the New Jersey Transit Corporation (New Jersey Transit) began operating the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line, which provides light rail service to municipalities in Hudson County from Bayonne to North Bergen; and
Whereas, Contrary to the name of the light rail line, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line only operates in Hudson County; and
Whereas, To provide more public transit options for Bergen County residents, New Jersey Transit decided to assess the feasibility of the Northern Branch Corridor Project, which is the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail improvement project that will extend the light rail line into Bergen County; and
Whereas, The Northern Branch Corridor Project will create new light rail stations in North Bergen, Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Leonia, and Englewood and will extend the light rail line from its present termination point at the North Bergen light rail station to a new termination point at the proposed Englewood Hospital light rail station; and
Whereas, The Northern Branch Corridor Project will provide many Bergen County residents with access to health services, employment, and other economic opportunities in the municipalities that will be served by the proposed light rail stations; and
Whereas, The improvements proposed under the Northern Branch Corridor Project will make the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line a valuable transportation alternative for Bergen County residents that will enhance and decongest the transportation system of the north eastern region of New Jersey; and
Whereas, The Federal Transit Administration estimates that the Bergen County portion of the Northern Branch Corridor Project has the potential to add 23,800 daily riders on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line by the year 2030, which has the potential to significantly reduce traffic congestion on Bergen County roadways as more riders are anticipated to utilize the proposed light rail stations instead of motor vehicles; and
Whereas, The Northern Branch Corridor Project will offer Bergen County residents added mobility and greater incorporation into the New Jersey Transit system, while cultivating economic growth in the municipalities that will be served by the proposed light rail stations; and
Whereas, As an incentive of the "New Jersey Economic Opportunity Act of 2013," businesses within a half mile of a new light rail station will be eligible for tax credits under the Grow New Jersey Program; and
Whereas, In anticipation of the final planning and implementation stages, the Northern Branch Corridor Project has been analyzed over the course of a decade through various project studies, including Scoping Documents and Draft Environmental Impact Studies; and
Whereas, Proper planning of resources by New Jersey Transit, such as parking garages, traffic synchronization systems, and esthetic elements, will ensure that the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line blends into and has a positive impact on the existing business districts and historic downtown areas in the municipalities that will be served by the proposed light rail stations; and
Whereas, Although federal regulatory requirements exist as a prerequisite to the commencement of the project, New Jersey Transit is encouraged to coordinate with the local officials in Bergen County and the municipalities that will be served by the proposed light rails stations in the final planning stages and to implement the Northern Branch Corridor Project as expeditiously as possible; and
Whereas, This House finds that it is in the interest of this State to extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line into Bergen County to improve the lives of the citizens of this State by providing greater access to services, offering more public transit options, alleviating traffic congestion, creating jobs, and promoting economic growth along the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House supports the extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line into Bergen County.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Executive Director of the New Jersey Transit Corporation, the Commissioner of Transportation, the Bergen County Executive, the Chairman of the Bergen County Freeholder Board, the Mayor of Englewood, the Mayor of Leonia, the Mayor of Palisades Park, and the Mayor of Ridgefield.
STATEMENT
This resolution supports the extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line into Bergen County.
In April 2000, New Jersey Transit began operating the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line, which provides light rail service to Hudson County. Contrary to the name of the light rail line, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail only operates in Hudson County. To provide more public transit options for Bergen County residents, New Jersey Transit decided to assess the feasibility of the Northern Branch Corridor Project, which is the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail improvement project that will extend the light rail line into Bergen County. The Northern Branch Corridor Project will create new light rail stations in North Bergen, Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Leonia, and Englewood and will extend the light rail line from its present termination point at the North Bergen light rail station to a new termination point at the proposed Englewood Hospital light rail station.
The Northern Branch Corridor Project will provide residents of Bergen County access to services previously only accessible by motor vehicle and greater incorporation into the New Jersey Transit system, while cultivating economic growth in the municipalities that will be served by the proposed light rail stations. Proper planning of resources by New Jersey Transit and coordination with local officials will ensure that the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line blends into and has a positive impact on the existing business districts and historic downtown areas in the municipalities that will be served by the proposed light rail stations. It is in the interest of this State to extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line into Bergen County to improve the lives of the citizens of this State by providing greater access to services, offering more public transit options, alleviating traffic congestion, creating jobs, and promoting economic growth along the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line.
