To: North Jersey Transporation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
CC: Hudson Alliance for Rational Transportation (HART)
Fr: Ralph Braskett, NJ Coordinator, CBT
Dt: 2/9/99
Re: Bergen Arches - DBNUM 98537

Memorandum

Attached is our solution for the Bergen Arches. After discussion with the members of HART, CBT developed a Rail Freight and Passenger Diesel LRT alternative to the proposed 4-lane highway through the Bergen Arches. This alternative to the highway should be studied for the Environmental reasons listed on the next page.

As with all cost effective CBT proposals, we are killing many birds with two stones. The stones are Freight Rail and Passenger Rail in the form of Diesel LRT.

The birds are:
- Support the future port of NY on the Hudson Waterfront with rail access, which all modern ports need to succeed.
- Move large long distance trucks from our roads and streets to railroads to enhance safety and health for bus riders, motorists and pedestrians.
- Enhance mobility for urban residents of Jersey City and Bayonne to jobs, shopping and recreation in Secaucus, the Meadowlands and Bergen County.
- Cleaner air and less congestion in Jersey City from the added cars and trucks brought there by the proposed highway.
- Rail service from Bergen County to Hudson Waterfront and to NYC via Secaucus Transfer and via PATH.
- Meadowlands access by public transit from many points in the region.
- Provide intra-Bergen County to Hudson waterfront and to NYC via Secaucus Transfer and via PATH.
- Provide automobile alternatives to/from Secaucus.
- East-West service in Jersey City.
- Park & Ride lot at Meadowlands to intercept cars bound for the Hudson Waterfront.

See the attached description below and MAP for details.

This line would use the same or similar type diesel Light Rail equipment that is proposed for NJT's Trenton-Camden Light Rail line.

Phase I of the line could be built in two parts: A & B:
A - Jersey City to Meadowlands
B - Meadowlands to Spring Valley via Pascack Valley line.

CBT Solution

Background: The original two-track tunnel was built by the Erie Railroad in 1857-61; currently it is one-track and used for freight. The four-track Bergen Arches, slightly south and above the original tunnel, was built around 1900 by the Erie Railroad primarily for passenger trains.

Proposal: Save the Bergen Arches for rail passenger and freight service. For clearance reasons, the center two tracks should be reserved for freight access to waterfront yards and connections to the north. With the forthcoming breakup of Conrail, CSX and Norfolk-Southern (the successor railroads) want more rail access to east of the Palisades, waterfront yards for goods delivery, and connections. Greenville Yard is one of the locations for a proposed cross-Hudson freight tunnel to Brooklyn. The outer tracks would be reserved for diesel light rail service from Secaucus and points further north. Light rail is preferred over conventional suburban rail for flexibility and lower operating costs, ie. one train operator per train with honor fares instead of the normal three person crew.

Light Rail Route: Convert the existing Pascack Valley rush-hour-only service from Spring Valley to Hoboken to diesel light rail running 18-20 hours per day, perhaps less on weekends.

This route would run: on the Pascack Valley right of way from Spring Valley to south of Wood-Ridge station at Paterson Plank Road in Carlstadt, then east to and through the Meadowlands Sports Complex with stops as close as possible to the Race Track and Football Stadium and near the Arena, bridge over Route 3 with a transfer station to Route 3 buses and over the Hackensack River, through Secaucus along Meadowlands Parkway serving Meadowlands Hospital and northern edge of Harmon Cove development, turn East through the light industrial and office buildings area to the eastern edge of Harmon Cove Outlet Center, continue East and South to the County Hospital and UPS facility, then South along County Road to NJT's Secaucus Transfer station (under construction) on the Northeast Corridor, then near/along the Croxton Yard to serve the US Postal Service Bulk Mail facility on County Road, then back to the old Erie right of way, through the Bergen Arches, along the 11th St. right of way to Pavonia-Newport Center, turn south on Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line to Exchange Place/Colgate Terminal.

Phase II of this project would add a Paramus branch from the Pascack right of way along Route 4 side roads to Route 17. Phase III would extend the route west from Spring Valley to Suffern along unused rights of way owned by NJ Transit for connectivity.

Customer Base and Destinations:
- Intra-Bergen County for work, shopping, and recreation: Kinderkemack Rd., which parallels the Pascack Valley right of way in Bergen County, has heavy bus service; this will increase after Phase II is completed. - Bergen County to NYC via Secaucus Transfer and via PATH at Pavonia and to the Waterfront for work and shopping. - Meadowlands Sports Complex access from both Jersey City and Bergen County plus other parts of New Jersey and New York City via transfers at Secaucus from NJT rail and bus, and - Pavonia/Exchange Place from PATH and NJT bus and Hudson-Bergen light rail. - Employment centers such as USPS and FEDEX and possibly others from both Jersey City and lower Bergen. - East-west service in Jersey City.

Meadowlands access would be much cheaper to build and operate and more flexible than the proposed relocation of the West Shore right of way through the Meadowlands.

Environment: Implementation of this proposal would prevent a four-lane highway that threatens to dump more truck and car traffic into Jersey City with their attendant increase in noise, congestion, air pollution, and resulting asthma in children and adults. This proposal would increase mobility, make the Meadowlands accessible to rail transit and provide many alternatives to autobiles and trucks.