NJ TRANSIT’s Board of Directors has approved $65.6 million in capital funding for improvements to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR), marking the initial phase of a planned $250 million, five-year investment in the heavily traveled Hudson County transit corridor.
The authorization targets station accessibility, fleet reliability, and infrastructure repairs across the 20.6-mile waterfront line, which carries roughly 48,000 daily riders.
Key projects funded under this first allocation include:
- Station Accessibility: Elevator modernizations at the 8th Street, 9th Street, and Bergenline Avenue stations.
- Fleet & Infrastructure: Overhauls of light rail vehicles, right-of-way improvements, and structural upgrades to the Weehawken and Bergenline tunnels.
- Safety & Systems: Technology and communications enhancements alongside a broader passenger safety initiative.
“New Jerseyans deserve public transit they can count on to get to work, make it to class, and get home to their families,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement. “This investment will tackle the everyday frustrations riders face, from elevators that need repairs to vehicles that need an overhaul. We’re putting our transportation dollars to work to make the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail safer, more accessible, and more reliable for the nearly fifty-thousand people who depend on it every day.”
NJ TRANSIT President and CEO Kris Kolluri noted that the agency intends to roll out the remaining portion of the $250 million capital program over the next five years as project needs advance.
“This initial round of capital investment will fund elevator modernization at three priority stations, vehicle overhauls, upgrades to the Weehawken and Bergenline tunnels, and improvements to passenger safety, so our customers can look forward to a smoother, more reliable ride for years to come,” Kolluri said.
Funding for the capital improvements is expected to draw from the Federal Transit Administration, the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund, and the NJ TRANSIT Light Rail Operating Budget.
The $65.6 million capital authorization is separate from the agency’s existing 15-year, $1.6 billion contract with Boston-based ACI-Herzog Joint Venture. ACI-Herzog assumed daily operations, maintenance, and routine capital asset replacement for the 24-station, 52-vehicle light rail system on Sept. 13, 2025.
