HUDSON COUNTY – The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has expressed concerns to the federal government regarding the route of the natural gas pipeline Spectra Energy has proposed building through Hudson County. If approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the underground pipeline would run through parts of Bayonne and Jersey City, near the southern edge of Hoboken, and into Manhattan.

Local elected leaders in Jersey City, Bayonne, and Hoboken have all publically opposed the pipeline project citing concerns about safety and the impact on property values.

According to a report today on NJ.com, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has added its name to long list of those opposing the project.

Citing a February letter to FERC from the Port Authority, the web site reports that the transit agency opposes current plans to route the pipeline under Route 440 near the Bayonne Bridge. The agency, according to the report, would rather see the pipeline routed under the Kill Van Kull instead. The pipeline’s current path, the agency fears, could jeopardize its plans to reconstruct the Bayonne Bridge.

The agency also believes there needs to a risk analysis of what could happen in the event of a natural gas explosion on the pipeline route, according to the report.

In a response letter to FERC, Spectra stated that re-routing the pipeline under the Kill Van Kull isn’t feasible.