Statement on Purchase Agreement Extension for Northern New Jersey Greenway Project

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Norfolk Southern Railway Corporation
The Open Space Institute

Statement on Purchase Agreement Extension for Northern New Jersey Greenway Project

 

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Norfolk Southern Railway Corporation, and the Open Space Institute today announced that the purchase agreement for nearly nine miles of former rail line in Northern New Jersey for the creation of a new Greenway, which was set to expire on January 31, 2022, has been extended to June 30, 2022.  The $65 million sale of 135 linear acres, traversing the densely populated region requires a level of complex title research, legal, and survey work meriting an extension. The three organizations are continuing to work in a collaborative manner to complete the necessary transaction that will set the stage for the next phase of this exciting project, which is expected to include community outreach, design, and planning.  When completed, this historic project will enrich communities in Essex and Hudson counties, the state and the region—serving as a hub for ecotourism and unlocking the potential for even greater transit and environmental infrastructure improvements.