GOVERNOR CORZINE HAILS OPENING OF NEW PEDESTRIAN LINK BETWEEN HOBOKEN AND JERSEY CITY
New section of Hudson River Waterfront Walkway result of successful public-private partnership
September 21, 2009
NJT-09-095
HOBOKEN, NJ — Governor Jon S. Corzine today officially opened a critical segment of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, providing a new pedestrian link between Jersey City and Hoboken. Made possible through a public private partnership between the LeFrak Organization—the developers of Newport—and NJ TRANSIT, the new pedestrian bridge spans the Long Slip Canal, connecting with a new 750-foot section of walkway built by Newport in Jersey City.
Joined by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Jamie LeFrak and other state and local officials, Governor Corzine formally opened the walkway which provides pedestrian access to NJ TRANSIT, PATH and ferry services at Hoboken Terminal, as well as local businesses and recreation sites, while allowing Hoboken residents and commuters direct access to Newport and Jersey City.
“The completion of the Long Slip Pedestrian Bridge is an example of how our transportation infrastructure improvement projects are building a better future and enhancing quality of life for our residents,” said Governor Jon S. Corzine. “This bridge, as part of the larger Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, will help to connect residents to their jobs and their communities by providing public access to the most environmentally-sound transit options as well as outdoor recreational opportunities along the waterfront. I want to thank Senator Menendez for securing funding for this project and the LeFrak organization for their leadership and commitment in bringing this successful public-private partnership to fruition.”
The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway currently extends along nearly 15 miles in Hudson County and encompasses state, county and municipal parks. Once complete, it will provide a contiguous 18.5-mile linear walkway system of parks, piers and open space along the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay waterfront, extending from the George Washington Bridge to the Bayonne Bridge. Newport has constructed 1.2 miles of this walkway.
“With projects like this, we are building a bridge to an ever-more vibrant community and ever-stronger mass transit system,” said U.S. Senator Robert Menendez. “I am pleased to have secured federal funding for a project that links two of New Jersey’s thriving Waterfront communities, bridging a crucial gap in the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. The Long Slip pedestrian bridge provides local residents with a convenient, environmentally-friendly means of accessing the multitude of mass transit options available at Hoboken Terminal.”
“We felt we wanted to create something special, not just for Newport residents, but also for the thousands of Jersey City and Hoboken residents who live and work on the waterfront,” said James LeFrak, Managing Director of the LeFrak Organization. “Thanks to the cooperation of NJDEP, and Jersey City in providing additional security, we will be able to keep the Walkway open 24/7.”
“With the completion of this critical link in the development of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, residents of Waterfront communities are now able to access employment, education and recreation centers and help reduce both road congestion and pollution in our environment,” said Congressman Albio Sires. “Newport should be applauded for advancing the construction of its Walkway well in advance of when it was required to build it.”
Most of Newport’s new section was constructed in advance of the development of the community’s Northeast Quadrant in a collaborative effort with NJ TRANSIT.
NJ TRANSIT commuters and Hoboken residents will easily be able to walk to the Newport Centre Mall, Newport’s eight office towers, restaurants, shops and a wide array of other on-site amenities.
"Under the Governor’s leadership we have been implementing a $3.6 billion transportation capital program that includes projects like this one that improve the quality of life in New Jersey. The Long Slip walkway opens up new travel opportunities for residents, with convenient pedestrian access to and from our bus, rail and light rail services,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Richard Sarles. “We thank both Governor Corzine and Senator Menendez for securing the necessary funding that made this project possible, as well as the LeFrak organization for its cooperation.”
During construction, the NJ TRANSIT portion of the walkway project created or sustained approximately 75 jobs.
“This is an exciting day for residents of Hudson County, as today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the opening of an essential part of the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway,” said Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise.
“With convenient access to Hoboken from other Waterfront communities, the new pedestrian bridge provides us with another means of sharing all that the City has to offer, both as a transportation hub and a center for recreation, shopping and nightlife,” said Hoboken Acting Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
“This project has bridged the gap between two vibrant cities, providing easy access to Hoboken for our Newport area residents and enabling Jersey City to welcome visitors from Hoboken and beyond with convenient pedestrian access to our community,’ said Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy. “The HRWW sections in Jersey City, including Newport’s 1.2 miles which connect with NJ TRANSIT’s bridge, are a world class amenity befitting Jersey City’s world class waterfront.”
About the Project
In September 2007, the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors awarded a $6.4 million contract to Simpson & Brown, Inc., of Cranford, NJ, for the construction of a pedestrian bridge spanning the east end of the Long Slip Canal adjacent to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station at Hoboken Terminal. Construction of the Long Slip pedestrian bridge began in February 2008. The 175-foot-long, 30-foot-wide bridge over the Canal features lighting, railings and signage, as well as a surface of brick pavers to match the existing Waterfront Walkway that it connects to at the Hoboken Terminal light rail station.
NJ TRANSIT’s portion of the Waterfront Walkway links to a new 1200-foot section of walkway constructed by Newport at a cost of $2 million featuring brick pavers, white pipe rail fence, benches, and a row of mature trees. A special feature installed by Newport is a series of 13 Interpretive signs developed in conjunction with New Jersey Audubon highlighting the natural and human history of the Newport area.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.