Essex-Hudson Greenway Closer But Work May Take Years, Officials Say

NEW JERSEY — A highly anticipated “greenway” that will thread through eight towns and cities in North Jersey is getting closer to fruition. But officials say it could take “years” before the massive project reaches the finish line.

On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy gave a status update on the Essex-Hudson Greenway, a new state park that will connect Jersey City, Secaucus, Kearny, Newark, Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge and Montclair.

Murphy and other advocates of the greenway officially announced the acquisition of the property during a news conference in Essex County (watch the video below). Read More: Cheers In Essex County For Huge Hiking, Biking 'Greenway'

Last year, officials announced that the state will be purchasing nearly 135 acres of property in North Jersey for $65 million, acting on the continued requests of local advocates. The plan? Turn an old, defunct nine-mile railroad line into a 100-foot-wide biking and hiking path.

• See related article: NJ Will Turn Old Railway Into Huge 'Greenway' For Hiking, Biking

Supporters of the project say that benefits of the new greenway will help commuters travel from New Jersey to New York City, improve air quality and help to manage stormwater runoff. The greenway will also mean more access to hiking and biking opportunities for residents in one of the state’s most densely populated areas.

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Financing for the project has continued to be hammered out after the state announced it was purchasing the property in 2021. But although no firm opening dates were given in a press statement from the governor’s office, officials say the greenway is getting closer:

“The Fiscal Year 2023 budget agreement includes $20 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to begin the remedial and structural work necessary to transform the abandoned rail line into a usable transportation corridor and recreational space. The entire line will remain closed to the public for an initial period of 6 to 12 months, after which the line will be opened to the public segment by segment as work on individual sections is completed over the next several years.”

The governor’s office continued:

“The sequence of the development and opening of the greenway, as well as the design for amenities, transportation options, and connections to local community resources, will be informed by a strategic master plan for the greenway. The [New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection] is currently procuring a consultant to support the development of the master plan and is leading an interagency working group and engagement with local elected officials, community members, and other stakeholders.”

“For far too long, many of New Jersey’s most diverse communities have not enjoyed equitable access to our state’s open spaces and their accompanying health benefits,” Murphy said.

“While connecting these communities to our natural environment and economic opportunity, the greenway will also bolster resilience in one of the state’s most densely populated regions,” the governor added.

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