Hoboken/Jersey City Light Rail Elevator Closed For 6 Weekends

HOBOKEN, NJ — Some Hoboken and Jersey Heights commuters who normally use the Ninth Street Light Rail elevator to get up or down the hill to either town were surprised this past weekend to find the elevator and bridge closed. After a Twitter user asked NJ Transit what was up, they said the elevator and foot bridge will be closed every Saturday and Sunday until September to replace window parts.

NJ Transit spokeswoman Nancy Snyder said that shuttle buses will be available at the 9th Street Light Rail Station at the times the trains come in, to help commuters get to and from both areas. The notice and more information are here.

Louvers, Or More?

The agency said on Twitter that the closure is taking place in order to replace the window louvres, or slats on the windows.

"Seems kind of ridiculous to close it for 6 weeks just to replace louvers," opined a Hoboken resident on Twitter. He posted video to show the new louvers.

Snyder explained, "They've been working on the glass, the frame, and the tower. For safety reasons, we cannot operate the elevator while working on that. Obviously if the project is fully complete beforehand, we'll restore the service and let customers know immediately ... they're working as efficiently as possible."

The elevator runs from the 9th Street Light Rail Station on the western border of Hoboken up the hill to Jersey City Heights, allowing light rail users to get back and forth between the two towns.

The only other ways to get up the hill on foot are at both ends of Hoboken: At the 100 steps near the 2nd Street Station, or at the 14th Street Viaduct. Those using wheelchairs will have to rely on the shuttles or other means, such as buses or Uber.

Both western Hoboken and Jersey City Heights have seen much development in that area over the last decade, thanks, in part, to the light rail station and elevator. Several parks and cafes are located within walking distance of the light rail elevator in both towns, including Black Rail Coffee at the 9th Street station in Hoboken, and Mod Cup, Busy Bee Organics, The Cliff, and Little Dove Cafe a few blocks from the elevator in Jersey City Heights.

https://twitter.com/NJTRANSIT/...

Want updates on breaking news when it happens? You can sign up for occasional breaking news alerts in Hoboken or Jersey City Heights, or for a daily newsletter at 6 a.m. each morning with local news. Don't miss the stories your neighbors are talking about! Sign up with your preferences here.

Got news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.