IMPLEMENTATION OF URBAN DESIGN AND TRANSIT ARTS: THE HUDSON-BERGEN LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM

The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Transit System (HBLRTS) is the first major, modern north-south transit link on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. In addition to supporting the traditional dominant west-to-east movement of New Jersey commuters to midtown and lower Manhattan, the primary design and operational objective of this system is to serve and link old and densely developed communities along the New Jersey side of the Hudson River waterfront corridor, to reinforce the dramatically expanding commercial and residential centers along the waterfront, and to serve as an economic development catalyst for residents and businesses in existing downtown and neighborhood community centers, some of which are vibrant and thriving and others of which are struggling. In addition to an extraordinarily complex setting for major new transportation infrastructure, the HBLRTS represented NJ Transit's first and the nation's largest-to-date application of a design-build-operate-maintain project delivery mode. The initial operating segment of the HBLRTS, comprising approximately 16.1 km (10 mi.) of the ultimate 33 km (20.5 mi.) system, commenced revenue service in March 2000. NJ Transit, from the beginning of conceptual design through final design and implementation of the HBLRTS, has made a substantial commitment to station area planning, urban design guidelines development, and a comprehensive transit arts program coupled with substantial stakeholder outreach. This institutional commitment, along with a thoroughly planned and carefully integrated implementation program, has provided NJ Transit and the project team with a framework for realizing ambitious design objectives while fulfilling the schedule, service, and budget parameters of the project.