Northern Branch HBLR (was DMU proposal)

[GojiMet86]

http://www.metro-report.com/news/news-b ... udget.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Light rail extensions supported in NJ Transit budget

10 Aug 2018

USA: On August 8 New Jersey Transit announced that it would be spending $3.8bn in the 2019 financial year as the operator seeks to address an urgent shortfall in investment. The budget allocates $2.3bn for ongoing operations and $1.5bn for capital spending.

As well as operating a large main line passenger rail operation primarily linking towns across New Jersey with New York City and Hoboken, NJT also runs three light rail networks and a state-wide bus network.

While much of the investment budget covers spending on commuter rail including Positive Train Control installation, there is also substantial capital spending planned for urban transport. Bus and light rail infrastructure has been allocated $151m, which includes $9m for the Capital Asset Replacement Programmes for both the Newark Light Rail and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail networks.

A total of $148m in general improvements is to be spent across the bus and light rail operations, while $39m has been allocated to network expansion. This covers $34m for the HBLR Northern Branch expansion and $2m for the HBLR Route 440 Improvement scheme. A $41m allocation is to be provided for ‘enhanced mobility services’ for senior citizens and those with disabilities in both urban and rural areas.

Approximately 54% of the capital budget comes from the Transportation Trust Fund, and a further 41% is funded by the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration.

[MaRoFu]

Good to know that at least SOME part of the budget is still being spent on this project, despite the whole fiasco involving PTC, equipment, crew shortages, etc...

Besides, isn't 2029 kind of a stretch? I know they need to repair the existing track/add catenary and tracks/build stations, but I doubt this will take more than 7 years unless something goes wonky that delays the construction.

Now watch as this thread suddenly becomes dormant again for another six months as NJT slugs through the project

[Defiant]

http://www.metro-report.com/news/news-b ... udget.html

Light rail extensions supported in NJ Transit budget

10 Aug 2018


A total of $148m in general improvements is to be spent across the bus and light rail operations, while $39m has been allocated to network expansion. This covers $34m for the HBLR Northern Branch expansion and $2m for the HBLR Route 440 Improvement scheme. A $41m allocation is to be provided for ‘enhanced mobility services’ for senior citizens and those with disabilities in both urban and rural areas.

Approximately 54% of the capital budget comes from the Transportation Trust Fund, and a further 41% is funded by the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration.

$34 million out of required 1 billion or so? It is safe to say that this project is not going to happen for a while. But also, the feedback I often hear from people using HBLR is that it is slow. It is not grade separated and I think the maximum speeds are limited by NJT for safety. As a result, many people unfortunately say that the bus could be faster. Of course HLBR provides more capacity and behaves better in bead weather...

But honestly, in my opinion, given the PTC installation, frequent train cancellations and other challenges NJT has no business expanding its network. Outside of the Gateway program of course. It should just stick to improving existing service, enhancing service resiliency and hopefully improving the evening schedule on the rail...

[braves]

It has been four years since the supplement SDEIS on the HBLR extension along the Northern Branch to Englewood Hospital was released.

Now four years later, the FEIS still hasn't been released.

Does anyone know the status of the FEIS on the HBLR extension along the Northern Branch as to when the FEIS will finally be release for public review.

[lensovet]

It has been four years since the supplement SDEIS on the HBLR extension along the Northern Branch to Englewood Hospital was released.

Now four years later, the FEIS still hasn't been released.

Does anyone know the status of the FEIS on the HBLR extension along the Northern Branch as to when the FEIS will finally be release for public review.

Moved your post to the existing thread.

I don't think anyone here knows. Your best bet would be to use the Contact Us link on the project website to see if anyone responds.

[Jeff Smith]

https://www.nj.com/news/2023/03/njs-mos ... utType=amp

N.J.’s most populous county needs promised light rail extension, lawmaker says
...
The most recent news about the light rail extension wasn’t about building line itself, but the award of a $592,000 federal grant in December to study types of transit-oriented development that could be built along the nine-mile line through eastern Bergen County from the current terminus of Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen to Englewood hospital and Medical Center with seven proposed station stops.
...

[lensovet]

So two years later I guess the answer to the previous question is “the Feds have a backlog and will hopefully get to it soon”

[Roadgeek Adam]

It is a question whether or not the priority is there right now. I would love service to Englewood (and north, but well, NJ Transit bent to Tenafly). But if NJ Transit can't the get the funding, well, not much we can do. Screwed up way things are, but alas.

In the meantime, we really should spend to improve PVL stations, because the grand majority are still not ADA accessible.

[MaRoFu]

https://www.nj.com/traffic/2023/08/outr ... utType=amp

Federal Transit Administration officials rescinded a “notice of intent” to act on an Environmental Impact Study, saying updated information is needed, according to a notice in Tuesdays Federal Register.

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Northern Branch extension has hit yet another roadblock.

[Roadgeek Adam]

Considering that EIS was an eternity ago, not really surprised.