Better Hudson River waterfront access for automobiles, hopefully by utilizing the Bergen Arches railroad cut as a highway, is vital for the continued development of Hudson County, according to Sen. Robert Torricelli.

But so is expansion of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system, he said during a meeting Monday with the editorial board of the Jersey Journal.

"We cannot continue to develop the Hudson County waterfront if cars have to wait with New York City (bound) traffic," Torricelli, D-Englewood, said.

He said the best option is transforming the Bergen Arches, a railroad cut that runs parallel to the State Highway, into part of a 2.5-mile highway connecting Secaucus and the Jersey City waterfront. Others have suggested it for a rail line.

The senator said that if the Bergen Arches becomes a roadway, it would be "clearly engineered to service the waterfront," and not as just another way for vehicles to get to the Holland or Lincoln tunnels.

While it may be possible to use some of it for both rail and autos, Torricelli said he considered it essential that it be used for cars. If a federal agency tried to block its use for cars administratively, Congress would specify such use by legislation, he said.

Torricelli said he began the fight for federal aid for a Bergen Arches roadway at the request of Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler. It's important, he said, that New Jersey commit matching funds for the project.

Although the price tag for converting the Bergen Arches will likely be high, it's worth it because it would spur development and investment worth many times that on the waterfront, he said.

Estimates for the project have ranged as high as $100 million.

A $1 million feasibility study has been commissioned by the North Jersey Transportation Authority.

But railroads, especially the light rail system, must also be greatly expanded if waterfront development is to continue, the senator said.

"The only thing that makes it work is having rail service," Torricelli said.

"It's time to begin planning the future of this (light) railroad," he said, even as the first part, from Bayonne to Jersey City, is still under construction.

He would like to see it extended at least to the Meadowlands sports complex in East Rutherford and into north-east Bergen County.

Torricelli said light rail "has the highest federal priority in Hudson County."

He also advocates a third trans-Hudson River tunnel, preferably for trains.

"I think it is imperative," he said, "I think it should be a rail tunnel."

But he said he might also support a combination auto-rail tunnel.

He said existing rail service is reaching full capacity during rush hours. For instance, recently expanded service between Morris County and Manhattan is standing room only, and far above projections.

As service continues to expand in northern and northwest New Jersey, there will be even bigger jams at the current last stop in Hoboken as commuters change for the PATH line to Manhattan.

"When those trains get to Hoboken, there's going to be no way to get to New York," Torricelli said.

Torricelli said he hoped officials in New Jersey and New York, especially the governors, can put aside differences for the good of the bi-state region.

He said Hudson County waterfront growth is going to depend heavily on continuing to attract secondary office facilities from firms which will remain headquartered in Manhattan.

"There are not separate economic futures for New York and New Jersey," he said.