On Monday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced New York would receive $6.76 billion for passenger rail projects.
The federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration would fund four New York projects that renew or expand the rail network in New York.
“President Biden’s ambitious transportation agenda is paying dividends for New Yorkers,” Hochul said. “New York State is investing billions in the MTA and in infrastructure statewide, including in projects that directly benefit Amtrak. This latest funding will help us deliver modern, safe, and reliable public transportation to underserved communities, while boosting the regional economy.
Projects receiving funding are the Gateway Program for the Hudson Tunnel Project Systems and Fit Out ($3.8 billion); the Metro-North Railroad Penn Station Access for four new stations in the Bronx ($1.64 billion); Rehabilitation of the East River Tunnels to Penn Station ($1.26 billion) and the Pelham Bay Bridge Replacement Project ($58 million).
The Hudson Tunnel Project will construct a new two-track tunnel under the Hudson River and rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The Metro-North stations in the East Bronx, overseen by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will enable expansion of the New Haven Line to Penn Station and bring the infrastructure into good repair, while reducing travel time. The East River Tunnel rehabilitation will repair damage to tunnels between Queens and Penn Station that happened as a result of salt water flooding during Superstorm Sandy. The Pelham Bay Bridge will replace the existing 115-year-old two track bridge with a new structure to facilitate higher speed travel with fewer bridge openings.
“This latest shot of federal funding for Metro-North Penn Access will help us get more out of existing infrastructure and will transform commutes for not only thousands of people living in transit-deprived areas of the East Bronx, but also for Amtrak customers who will benefit from the rebuilt Hell Gate Line,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said.