U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) applauded the Biden administration’s upgraded “medium-high” rating of the Hudson River Tunnels under the Capital Investment Grants program, which enables the overall Gateway Project to move forward.
A critical piece of the Gateway Project, the tunnels require significant repairs in the coming years due to damage during Superstorm Sandy. If they were to be shut down or taken out of service without a replacement in place, Amtrak estimates it could cost the economy nearly $100 million per day.
“This is a major step towards completing the nation’s most important transportation project, which will modernize our rail infrastructure, get commuters to work, and keep our economy moving forward,” Menendez said. “After years of politically-motivated delays to derail Gateway by the former administration, I now could not ask for better federal partners who are committed to building new Hudson rail tunnels, completing the Portal North Bridge, and getting the entire Gateway Program done.”
The new ratings announced by the FTA on Thursday make the Hudson River Tunnels eligible to move forward in the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program process, which will unlock federal funding for the project. Previously the tunnel project was given a “medium low” rating. The Hudson River Tunnel project’s completion will allow the old tunnels to be taken out of service temporarily and repaired and, as a key component of the Gateway Program, will allow for improvements up and down the Northeast Corridor to move forward.
“As a major component of the Gateway Program, the Hudson Tunnel Project will improve commuter safety, help address the myriad of delays that impact the entire Northeast Corridor, and increase our nation’s economic competitiveness,” said Sen. Booker. “For years, I have worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure this vital infrastructure project gets the federal investment it deserves and am glad to see this announcement from the FTA which will allow construction to commence and create jobs for our state’s residents.”