Menendez, Booker, Pascrell, Sires, Payne Call for Federal Funding to Fast-Track Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Extension

Press Release

U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker today joined Congressmen Bill Pascrell (N.J.-09), Albio Sires (N.J.-08) and Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10) and other New Jersey elected officials and labor leaders to call on Congress to approve long-term, dedicated funding to repair and upgrade the nation's crumbling infrastructure. Officials, gathered at a news conference in Englewood, highlighted the planned extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) as a catalyst for job creation, economic growth and improved quality of life.

"Investing in our infrastructure is about more than just getting people from Point A to Point B. It will spark neighborhood revitalization, attracting thousands of new residents who want to live in a transit-accessible, walkable community," said Sen. Menendez. "It's time for us to stop just talking about these projects, and start putting New Jersey to work building them."

"Even in a divided Washington, infrastructure investment shouldn't be a partisan issue," said Sen. Booker. "I believe we can unite Republicans and Democrats around this issue and get something done. We can't afford to ignore the aging infrastructure of our country and our state anymore. Failing to make the necessary developments in infrastructure is not only crippling our competitiveness in a global economy, it's crippling hard-working New Jerseyans' opportunities to excel here at home. I will continue to work for long-term investment in infrastructure that creates jobs, stimulates economic growth, and improves the quality of our public transportation."

The federal lawmakers also urged their colleagues in Washington to pass a long-term fix to fully fund the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which will go bankrupt in this summer, reducing or slowing reimbursements to states for critical highway repairs and transit projects.

"Not only does investing in infrastructure create good paying jobs for our construction industry, it lays the foundation for economic growth for generations to come," said Rep. Pascrell. "We need not only dedicate resources to maintain our aging transportation infrastructure, but we must expand that system, especially by creating more transit options here in northern New Jersey. Both Congress and the State of New Jersey have ignored this problem for far too long, and it's past time we found a long-term solution to this crisis."

"Ask anyone living and working along the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and you'll hear countless stories of how it has improved quality of life and generated new business opportunities along the route," Rep. Sires said. "When it comes to transportation, when you build it, people really do come. Investing in our infrastructure is good for both the economy and the environment."

"Smart investments in our infrastructure are critical to public safety and economic growth," said Rep. Payne. This is particularly true in New Jersey, where our decaying infrastructure leads to increased driving accidents and limits the movement of commerce throughout the densely-populated Northeast region. Expanding the Hudson-Bergen light rail line to Bergen County and Jersey City's West Side is an important step toward meeting our infrastructure needs, improving commuter safety, and generating economic growth throughout our state."

For 15 years since the HBLR has been rolling plans to extend the line into Bergen County have failed to come to fruition. New Jersey Transit is now considering two proposed extensions--which have the support of county and local officials--north to Englewood in Bergen County and west to Route 440 in Jersey City in Hudson County.

"As County Executive of the largest county in New Jersey, I know that it is time to make the Bergen portion of the Bergen-Hudson Light Rail a reality," Bergen County Executive James Tedesco said. "Extending the light rail through eastern Bergen County to the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center will generate significant economic growth for our businesses and communities and positively impact the quality of life for Bergen County residents."

"The Light Rail has been a tremendous asset for expanding economic development in Jersey City, where we are currently experiencing record construction and job growth that outpaces the state and the nation," said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. "A full expansion of the Light Rail into Bergen County, as well as on Jersey City's west side, would spur additional economic growth and create thousands of jobs for New Jerseyans. We thank Senator Menendez and Senator Booker, as well as Congressmen Sires, Payne and Pascrell for recognizing the need to fund this important project and look forward to working with them to bring these infrastructure funds to northern New Jersey."