AGREEMENT ADVANCES PASSAIC-BERGEN RAIL PROJECT

Future cross-county service will link nine stations between Hawthorne and Hackensack

May 13, 2009
NJT-09-049

NEWARK, NJ — A project to provide rail service between the Borough of Hawthorne in Passaic County and the City of Hackensack in Bergen County advanced today, with the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors authorizing the agency to enter an agreement with the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (NYS&W).

“This is a major step toward providing new and efficient travel options to my constituents who live along this corridor with a project that will promote economic growth within the communities it will serve,” said U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell.  “I am gratified to see the project continue to advance.” 

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NYS&W that provides a framework for NJ TRANSIT’s plan to construct and operate the Passaic-Bergen line using the NYS&W Main Line right-of-way between Hawthorne and Hackensack.

“By leveraging existing rail infrastructure, this project will create a new transit option for residents of some of New Jersey’s most densely populated communities,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Stephen Dilts.  “The expanded rail network will provide travel alternatives to congested roadways and improve access to employment and recreational destinations.”   

“We envision this project as the first increment in fulfilling a need for east-west passenger rail service along the existing New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad right-of-way,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles.  “This project would not be possible without the efforts of Congressman Bill Pascrell, who has been a strong advocate for this cross-county service.”  

Passaic-Bergen rail service will serve nine new stations along more than eight miles of the NYS&W’s Main Line corridor between Hawthorne and Hackensack.  The project’s proposed station in Hawthorne is a short walk from the existing Main Line station, making it easy for riders to connect to the wider NJ TRANSIT commuter rail system. 

Construction could begin as early as the end of this year and take approximately three years to complete.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 11 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 164 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.