Transforming Jersey City‘s Forgotten Erie Cut into a Vibrant Greenway
For decades, a gaping chasm has sliced through Jersey City—a relic from a time when industry ruled the day.
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Now, NJIT’s Hillier College building design program is reimagining this forgotten stretch, known as the Erie Cut, as a lively linear park and pedestrian greenway.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the ambitious student proposals that could bring new life to this 17-acre trench.
This space, carved deep into the Palisades rock, once carried steam trains in and out of the city.
Now, it’s a neglected patch of urban woodland, just waiting for a second act.
Bridging the Past and Future: Reimagining the Erie Cut
The Erie Cut is no small thing—it’s a 40-to-75-foot deep trench, a real monument to Jersey City’s transportation history.
Built in 1910, it carried steam trains until 1957.
Today, this mile-long scar runs alongside Route 139, starting at John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Tonnelle Avenue, and stretching all the way to Palisade Avenue.
Four massive arches mark the landscape, their hard lines now softened by a thick canopy of trees.
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It’s a unique urban woodland, even if most folks hardly notice it.
Student Ingenuity Tackles Real-World Challenges
Professor Vincent Marchetto led the “Reconnection: The Bergen Arches” studio, challenging students to transform this tricky urban landscape.
They faced real-world design problems, like figuring out access, lighting, stormwater management, and how to keep the place running sustainably.
The proposals mixed practicality with a dash of creativity.
Owen Delpiu imagined street-level entrances with wide workout steps, a much-needed elevator for accessibility, and even a playful slide.
It’s a fun, inviting way to get down into the canyon-like cut.
This approach really tries to make the space open and inviting for everyone.
Amanda Bonafrancesco took a different angle, focusing on the environment.
She designed systems to capture and direct rainwater—important for handling runoff and stopping floods.
Her plans also guide how people move through the space, blending natural elements into the design for both looks and function.
A Keystone for Connectivity and Community
The student proposals also see the Erie Cut as more than just a park—they hint at its potential to connect Jersey City’s growing green infrastructure.
Connecting the Dots: Greenway Aspirations
Rahid Cornejo, a distinguished alumnus of the program and now a leader with the Bergen Arches Preservation Coalition, sees the Erie Cut as a pivotal keystone. He wants it to connect the established Essex-Hudson Greenway with the impressive Sixth Street Embankment.
This network of green spaces could offer fresh recreational options for both residents and visitors. Imagine walking or cycling through a chain of parks that feels both local and a little bit grand.
Local advocates are pushing for the corridor to welcome pedestrians and cyclists. That lines up with NJ Transit’s recent interest in extending the Secaucus-Meadowlands Transitway into Jersey City.
They’re even talking about electric or autonomous buses along the route. If that happens, the Erie Cut could become a true multimodal hub, knitting together different ways to get around.
Cornejo, along with Chris Gratto of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, opened a learning center in Journal Square. Inside, visitors can check out a 3D-printed model of the proposed Bergen Arches conversion.
It’s pretty cool to see a physical model—makes the whole idea feel more real. The studio itself shows how creative architecture might actually help heal and reconnect parts of the city that have been overlooked for years.
The transformation of the Erie Cut could mean a lot for Jersey City hotels, giving guests something new and local to explore. If you’re wondering where to stay in Jersey City, these changes just make the city more appealing.
With new pathways and green spaces, the things to do in Jersey City list keeps growing. Figuring out getting to Jersey City through its transit network will matter even more as these projects move ahead.
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As the different city districts get better connected, Jersey City keeps showing it’s not afraid to evolve. There’s a sense that the city’s just warming up.
Here is the source article for this story: NJIT Architecture Students Redesign Mile-Long Rail Cut as Jersey City Greenway
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