Hoboken city officials are evaluating plans for a potential fourth light rail station along the city’s west side, with a recent feasibility study shedding light on what a 15th Street stop could look like and how it might serve residents and commuters.
During a recent City Council meeting, representatives from infrastructure design firm STV presented conceptual options for the new station as part of the North End Redevelopment Plan, which the city adopted in 2021. The original plan had envisioned two additional stations at 15th Street and 17th Street, aiming to expand the reach of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail corridor through Hoboken.
The feasibility study, however, raised significant challenges for the 17th Street site. Officials cited the curvature of existing tracks, conflicts with underground utilities, and ongoing work on the Hudson River Tunnel project—which is expected to continue for several years—as obstacles that make a station at 17th Street unlikely in the near term. Conversely, 15th Street emerged as a feasible location for future development, with two distinct designs under consideration.
The first option proposes a Hoboken-only station with access from Madison Street. Estimates place the cost at approximately $28 million, making it a more straightforward and budget-conscious choice. The second option aims to enhance connectivity by adding a direct entrance for Union City residents via an elevator and stairway leading up to Manhattan Avenue, similar to the setup at the existing 9th Street light rail station. This expanded design would require the acquisition of multiple privately-owned parcels along the palisade cliff and would bring the project’s cost to around $59 million.
Ridership projections indicate the potential impact of the station could be substantial. A Hoboken-only entrance might attract roughly 2,400 daily riders, while including Union City access could nearly double that figure to 4,100 riders per day. Experts emphasized that any advancement of the project would require close coordination with NJ Transit and state officials, as the Hudson Bergen Light Rail system is under their oversight.
The timing of the project could align well with ongoing neighborhood transformations. The 15th Street corridor is currently experiencing significant underground infrastructure improvements, and multiple high-rise developments are either underway or in the planning stages. City planners suggest that a new light rail stop would not only improve transit access for current residents but could also accommodate the anticipated growth in population and commuting needs.
While no definitive construction schedule has been set, the 15th Street station concept represents a key opportunity to enhance Hoboken’s transit network and support sustainable urban growth. For updates on local transit planning and infrastructure developments, visit the transportation section of Sunset Daily News.
