+1, Tommy.

This morning the MTA weighed in, citing the extension as "financially infeasible." Without MTA support, the project is a no-go.

Hoboken would be a bit too far south to be justifiable, I think, especially since Hoboken is so well-connected as is. However, the area between Hoboken and Weehawken isn't so far out of the way, and could (and should) include a stop in JC Heights as well.

just saw tommyc wrote the same thing as me! we disagree on newport but both think lhota is a moron! hahaha

on another note, i wonder where in hoboken the train would stop? i imagine it would be north hoboken but that area is pretty heavily developed already and i imagine would be easier and make more sense to alleviate the bergen county and north hudson county traffic that is heavy on busses over trains if it stopped in weehawken (since its closer to 42nd street and could avoid needing to dig under the lincoln tunnel or lincoln helix

I think this was the funniest line...

"Of course New Jersey would like to have it ? they think they?re going to get across the river for $2.50," Lhota told the New York Building Congress

News Flash Jerk! We already get across for $2.25 ($1.70 with a multi-fare discount) and that's with subsidizing the WTC construction costs...

I agree about the need for 1 regional/coordinating mass transit authority. I too fear that this makes so much sense that it hardly stands a chance

Makes too much sense, and it really is much needed.

?Of course New Jersey would like to have it,? Lhota added. ?They think they?re going to get across the river for $2.50.? Um, NJians can already cross the river for less than that on the Path, dummy.

I hope in my lifetime the entire region will have ONE transportation authority that controls all subways, trains, and buses. My hopes are not high, however.

When you consider the speed of MTA projects like the 2nd ave subway we won't see it completed in our lifetime.

From my understanding from the original plan before it was killed. It would stop in Hoboken and then make its way to Secaucus Junction. For me that would be great, LightRail to Hob then the 7, but this project may take 10 years. Just glad its being reconsidered.

There's no mention of it stopping in Weehawkin or Union City. I think that'd be invaluable to have for either town, or on the border of the towns.

That would hopefully alleviate a decent amount of traffic from the path if it has a stop just before the hudson in west new york or weehawken...

Yes please.

Keeping fingers crossed, lightrail to 7 train... wow that would be amazing.

Mike Frassinelli/The Star-Ledger

Traveling by subway from Secaucus to the Mets' Citi Field may resurface as a possibility.

A plan to extend the No. 7 New York City subway to New Jersey, presumed dead a year ago when the chairman of the New York MTA said it wouldn?t happen ?in anybody?s lifetime,? could be revived.

A report commissioned by New York City, expected to be posted this morning on the city's Economic Development Corp. website, extols the benefits of the plan.

"The extension of the No. 7 Subway would result in the first trans-Hudson tunnel connection that would provide direct rail access from New Jersey, not only to the West Side of Manhattan, but also to the East Side and multiple locations in Queens," noted the report by the Parsons Brinckerhoff engineering firm. "It would provide needed capacity across the Hudson River and advance the broader goal of enhancing regional connectivity."

The report, obtained by The Star-Ledger, noted the next step would be an advanced study on the feasibility of extending the No. 7 subway line ? which runs from Queens to Times Square ? into Secaucus Junction. Coordinated with the Federal Transit Administration, the study would include a cost benefit analysis, identification of financing opportunities and analysis of ridership and revenue.

After Gov. Chris Christie in October 2010 canceled the $9.8 billion ARC tunnel from Secaucus to West 34th Street in Manhattan, New York?s plan to extend the No. 7 train to New Jersey was one of two Hudson River train tunnel alternatives that sprung up in the next few months, along with Amtrak?s proposed Gateway Tunnel from Secaucus to the south side of an expanded New York Penn Station.

But the options were seemingly cut to one last April when then-MTA Chairman Joe Lhota, now a city mayor hopeful, told a forum of New York business leaders the No. 7 extension would be too expensive.

?It?s not going to happen,? he said. ?Not in our lifetime. Not in anybody?s lifetime.?

?Of course New Jersey would like to have it,? Lhota added. ?They think they?re going to get across the river for $2.50.?

He instead threw his support behind the $13.5 billion Gateway Tunnel, which initially was scheduled to be built by 2020 but so far has received just $30 million.

The Gateway project would allow 13 more NJ Transit trains during peak hours ? for a total of 33 ? and eight more Amtrak trains.

The Parsons Brinckerhoff report contended that the No. 7 subway project would be compatible with the proposed Gateway plan.

Those hopping on a 7 train in Jersey would be able to reach such destinations as the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Times Square, Grand Central Terminal and Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.

It would allow for about 128,000 riders a day on 30 trains per hour, according to the report, and the trip from Secaucus Junction to Grand Central would take about 16 minutes.

Christie canceled the Access to the Region?s Core tunnel because he said he didn?t want New Jerseyans to be on the hook for billions of dollars in cost overruns and was concerned the tunnel didn?t provide easily accessible train connections in Manhattan. He has been receptive to both the Gateway project and No. 7 subway train project.