Full Notification

Earlier today, I met with the heads of Hoboken’s Transportation Department, Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, Public Safety, and Administration to prepare for what may be a significant disruption to regional transit beginning this Friday, May 16. 

Due to failed contract negotiations between NJ Transit and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), NJ Transit train service may come to a halt this Friday. NJ Transit is urging all customers to work from home if possible and only use its limited remaining services for essential travel. I share your frustration that we are once again facing the consequences of the agency’s inability to effectively plan ahead. I encourage all residents to monitor updates at www.njtransit.com/railstoppage. 

Additionally, NJ Transit and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) are planning to conduct construction that would necessitate a double-track outage in the northern section of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) system throughout this weekend. 19th Street in Weehawken would be fully closed west of the HBLR track crossing, between Waterfront Terrace and the Hartz Mountain ramp, between 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, through 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. My administration asked for this work to be rescheduled so that HBLR service would continue uninterrupted during an already difficult weekend, and NJ Transit is reviewing this request based on the necessity of their planned electrical work. 

Jersey Avenue Update 

The NJDEP also notified my administration that they are unfortunately behind schedule on Rebuild by Design construction due to unforeseen underground conditions with Jersey City’s infrastructure at Jersey Avenue and will not be reopening one southbound lane on Friday, May 16, as they had originally promised. I ask residents who can afford to do so, to work remotely, leave extra travel time, and use northern routes, as the NJ Transit strike will likely add more cars to our already congested southwest corridors. The Hoboken Police Department has been coordinating with NJ Transit Police and has requested additional officers to assist with circulation and possible transit employee picketing at the terminal. Waze and Google Maps have been updated with the closure, and I urge you to use these navigation apps to plan your route if you need to travel by car.  

To say I am disappointed and frustrated is a gross understatement, but I have the guarantee of the NJDEP that at least one southbound lane of Jersey Avenue will reopen on Friday, May 23, ahead of the Memorial Day weekend and this morning, they submitted their construction plans to demolish and repave the eastern sidewalk to transform it into the outbound lane. I have also made it abundantly clear to the NJDEP that they must fully reopen Jersey Avenue by July 3.  

Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival 

This confluence of events comes as we also host one of our most beloved traditions, the Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival, happening this Sunday, May 18, on Washington Street from Observer Highway to Seventh Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic. I strongly encourage everyone to attend and enjoy the day. However, we must also acknowledge that vehicle traffic will put added stress on our transportation infrastructure.   

To help alleviate congestion, I urge attendees to consider alternative ways of getting to the festival, including the PATH, Citi Bike, NJ Transit bus, and HBLR from unaffected areas. If these options are not available to you, consider carpooling or rideshare. 

A rideshare drop-off zone will be located on the west side of Washington Street from Eighth to Ninth Street. Parking will be extremely limited, and there is a gridlock advisory from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. 

To assist with circulation, Sinatra Drive Summer Streets is canceled this Sunday. Sinatra Drive will be open to northbound traffic between Fifth Street and Eleventh Street.  

While the long-term goals of the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River project are critically important to our regional flood resilience, we will continue to do everything we can at the City level to mitigate the traffic and quality of life impacts this project has had on our community. 

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. 

Sincerely,  

Ravi S. Bhalla 
Mayor