Listen to this articleThe basics:
- NJ Transit approves $22M Phase 2 contract with HNTB for Secaucus–Meadowlands Transitway design
- Project will connect Secaucus Junction and Jersey City
- Route will support zero-emission and future autonomous vehicle operations
- Transitway aims to boost access to Meadowlands sports and entertainment venues
A plan to connect Jersey City, Secaucus and the Meadowlands Sports and Entertainment Complex via mass transit is advancing following board approval of a more than $22 million contract with HNTB Corp.
NJ Transit announced the clearance to extend its existing contract with the engineering firm Dec. 11. HNTB will now work to complete engineering and design work for the part of the route that would connect Secaucus Junction and Jersey City.
When the initiative kicked off in 2021, Gov. Phil Murphy said the project is designed to shuttle patrons to and from the area’s sporting and entertainment venues – the Meadowlands Arena, MetLife Stadium, the Meadowlands Racetrack and American Dream – “in a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly manner.” Phase 2 will add design of a dedicated right of way between Secaucus and Jersey City.
Offering multiple stops, the route will accommodate seveal vehicle types — excluding rail. It will use the former Boonton rail line and Bergen Arches.
Commenting on the approval, NJ Transit board chair and state Transportation Commissioner Fran O’Connor said advancing this project marks an important step.
Overall, the work has two goals, according to the agency. Beyond increasing service capacity and efficiency for travel between the Meadowlands Entertainment Complex and Secaucus Junction, it will also offer a brand-new route in one of the most densely populated areas of North Jersey.
Environmental in focus
Announcing the Phase 2 Transitway work, NJ Transit also highlighted the environmentally friendly nature of the corridor it aims to establish. It said modes of transit considered for the latest section should be capable of being implemented with zero emissions vehicles, or readily transitioned to ZEV in the future. That includes being able to scale to fully autonomous vehicle operation, as demonstrated advances in the industry allow.
“I am pleased to see the progress on such an important, environmentally friendly public transportation solution,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri. The executive, who will exit the post in the new year, described the initiative as “critical,” also noting it supports economic growth in New Jersey.
When officials celebrated the July groundbreaking for the first phase of the Greenway, which will transform a defunct rail line into a 9-mile linear state park spanning Essex and Hudson counties, they also announced a collaboration between NJ Transit and the state Department of Environmental Protection to potentially expand the Secaucus-Meadowlands Transitway into the stretch with a dedicated lane that would support public transit across eight municipalities: Jersey City, Secaucus, Kearny, Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge and Montclair.
NJ Transit first enlisted HNTB for the Transitway in 2021, when it awarded the firm a $3.42 million contract to complete conceptual development and preliminary design for Phase 1. This month, the board approved the contract to complete the design stage of Phase 2—Transitway Jersey City for no more than $22.28 million, plus 10% for contingencies.
