Four public hearings were held last week on the long-awaited draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for a proposed Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) extension.

The DEIS proposes to extend the HBLR, which currently operates in Hudson County alone, into Bergen County. Depending on which of the DEIS’ alternatives is selected, the line could end at either Tenafly or Englewood.

The DEIS’ preferred alternative (pictured above) would add 12 miles of service to the HBLR, starting from the Tonnelle Avenue station and extending north through the town centers of both Englewood and Tenafly.

Another DEIS alternative would add eight miles of service (pictured below), starting from the same point but ending at a station by Route 4 in Englewood. Under this plan, service would not reach Englewood Town Center or Englewood Hospital.

While much of the media coverage has focused on the project’s detractors, Tenafly has many light rail supporters.

Outside of Tenafly, there is also substantial support for the project.

TSTC, for one, testified in its favor, and Palisades Park Mayor James Rotundo, whose borough will receive a light rail stop under both proposals, gave his endorsement.

“The light rail would provide a lot of access that people can use to go south to New York City instead of taking the bus. I think it would benefit the whole community,” he said.

Hasbrouck Heights Mayor Rose Marie Heck, who has advocated for the extension for over a decade, touted the plan’s myriad benefits: traffic reduction, increased home values, and downtown business revitalization (benefits that are evident along the length of the HBLR).

If the HBLR extends into Tenafly, NJ Transit expects approximately 11,900 passengers to take the light rail every day, which amounts to 23,800 trips. If it only extends to Englewood, NJ Transit projects 9,960 daily riders and an average of 19,920 daily trips.

The shorter extension is projected to cost $686 million, while the longer one would be $866 million. A funding source has yet to be identified.