The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway (The Walkway), when completed, will extend along the Hudson River/Kill van Kull shoreline from the Bayonne Bridge in Bayonne in the south, to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee in the north, a distance of 18.6 linear miles through 9 municipalities. The actual distance travelled from one bridge to the other will be over 30 miles, as the Walkway winds in and out of piers, marinas and the convoluted shoreline. The Walkway has been under construction since 1984 when the New Jersey legislation creating the Walkway was passed. It is used daily by thousands of walkers, bikers, strollers and other forms of conveyance and is a crucial link in the public transportation system along the Hudson. The Walkway is also a major recreational asset for neighboring residents and the public at large with public parks along the waterfront in each of the 9 municipalities that border the waterfront.

Walkway Status as of Oct 2024

The Walkway is approximately 85% completed with the only major undeveloped section located at the southern end in Bayonne. Large active industrial facilities in Bayonne contain major tank farms and ports. Development of the Walkway in these areas will await the day when these facilities close and the properties are developed.

The remainder of the Walkway is largely completed along the Hudson River shoreline from southern Jersey City to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, a distance of approximately 16 linear miles. Only 7 segments or “gaps” in this 16-mile stretch of the Walkway remain to be built. Some are planned for construction and plans are in place to complete the remaining “gaps” in the next few years. Below is a list of the “gap”’ with the current status of each from south to north.

Liberty Harbor – Jersey City

Property Description: Liberty Harbor is a multi-acre residential development site that borders the Morris Canal and has been under development for over 15 years. Construction continues away from the waterfront, but the development will eventually construct residential buildings at the shoreline which will include a fully compliant Walkway. In the meantime, Liberty Harbor North is open to the public and walkers can proceed across the property along the waterfront between Jersey Avenue and Marin Boulevard.

Location: Along the northern side of Morris Canal between the Liberty State Park foot bridge at Jersey Avenue and the Hudson Point Apartments on Marin Boulevard.

Gap Length: approximately ½ mile

Property Condition: Paved commuter parking lots

Plans for Completion: General site plan but no specific approved plans

Target date to Remove Walkway Gap: 2030

Public Access: Heading south from Liberty State Park, the Morris Canal shoreline can be accessed through a driveway and gate that is on the right-hand side of Jersey Ave shortly after leaving the Liberty State Park foot bridge. After passing through the gate, stay to the right and follow along the Morris Canal shoreline until you reach the New York Waterways Ferry dock. Take a left toward the Hudson Point marina and proceed around the marina to connect with the Walkway at the Hudson Point Apartments.

Union Dry Dock – Hoboken

Property Description: This former site of Union Dry Dock is several acres of waterfront land that is owned by the City of Hoboken and leased to NY Waterways for ferry maintenance.

Location: In the northern end of Hoboken just south of Maxwell Place condominiums.

Gap Length: Several hundred yards

Property Condition: Derelict docks and related facilities that are closed to the public.

Plans for Completion: After extended litigation, the City of Hoboken has acquired the property and has initiated plans to extend the Hoboken waterfront park through the property. This will include a fully compliant Walkway along the water’s edge. This will take 5 years to complete. A Walkway segment along Sinatra Drive may be completed at an earlier date.

Target Date to remove Walkway Gap: 2030

Bypass Alternative: Hoboken has provided a dedicated protected lane within Sinatra Drive for pedestrians and cyclists which connects to the Walkway at both ends.

Weehawken Park – Weehawken

Property Description: Several acres of waterfront land where an extension to Weehawken Park is under construction

Location: In the center of Weehawken between Lincoln Harbor to the south and the existing Weehawken Park on the north

Gap Length: 100 yards

Property Condition: Closed to the public.

Plans for Completion: The Walkway, including a bridge over an existing sewer outflow, is planned and will be constructed as soon as funding is secured.

Target Date for removing Walkway Gap: 2026

Bypass Alternatives: Use Port Imperial Blvd to bypass the gap in either direction.

Riverside Residential – North Bergen

Property Description: Several acres of waterfront land where a residential complex will be built.

Location: Northernmost property in North Bergen between the Watermark Condominiums to the south and Edgewater’s Glass House condominiums to the north.

Gap Length: Two hundred yards

Property Condition: Vacant land that is closed to the public.

Plans for Completion: Development plans, including a Walkway segment, have been approved by the NJDEP but have been inactive for over 10 years. There is no plan for actual construction on the property. The Conservancy has brought suit against the developer to open the property under the Public Trust Doctrine and build a temporary Walkway path that will connect the Walkway to existing permanent Walkway segments on the north and south of Riverview.

Target Date for opening Walkway Gap: Undetermined

Bypass Alternatives: Use River Road to bypass the gap in either direction.

Quanta Superfund Site – Edgewater

Property Description: Multi-acre EPA Superfund Site on the Hudson River previously used for disposal of chemical wastes.

Location: Between Edgewater Harbor’s Oyster Apartments to the south and City Place to the north.

Gap Length: Two hundred yards

Property Condition: Active EPA remediation site. Closed to the public

Plans for Completion: Remediation of the land has been completed and the property has been declared void of human health risks by the EPA. The adjoining Hudson River remains to be remediated by the EPA. A developer has proposed a major residential facility for the property, but this cannot proceed until the water contamination is remediated by the EPA. This will take 10-15 years. In the meantime, the EPA has agreed that a temporary Walkway could be safely constructed to connect the property to existing Walkway segments on the north and south. The Conservancy is in negotiation with the NJDEP to achieve this goal.

Target Date to remove Walkway Gap: Undetermined

Bypass Alternatives: Use River Road to bypass the gap in either direction

615 River Road (Former Hess Oil Tank Farm) – Edgewater

Property Description: Multi-acre development property on the Hudson River. Formerly a distribution terminal and tank farm for Hess Oil.

Location: Center of Edgewater between the Mitsuwa Shopping Center to the south and Edgewater Market to the north.

Gap Length: Several hundred yards
Property Condition: Vacant land awaiting construction. Closed to the public

Plans for Completion: Development plans, including a segment of the Walkway, have been in place for several years. However, there are no immediate construction plans. The Conservancy has brought suit against the developer to open the property under the Public Trust Doctrine to allow a temporary Walkway segment to be built that would connect to Walkway segments to the north and the south.

Target Date to Remove Walkway Gap: 2026

Bypass Alternatives: Use River Road to bypass the gap in either direction.

Admiral’s Walk Condominiums – Edgewater

Property Description: Condominium complex

Location: Northern Edgewater between the Edgewater Marina to the south and Edgewater Community Park to the north

Gap Length: Several hundred yards

Property Condition: Active condominiums open only to residents and registered guests

Plans for Resolution: The Conservancy filed a complaint against Admiral’s Walk for violation of the Public Trust Doctrine and seeking the opening of the private Walkway within Admiral’s Walk along the Hudson River. The Court ordered Admiral’s Walk to open the property to the public. Negotiations continue among the NJDEP, Admiral’s Walk, Edgewater, a contractor and the Conservancy to construct a permanent Walkway segment

Target Date for removal of Walkway Gap: 2025

Bypass Alternatives: Use River Road to bypass the gap in either direction.