Robert Menendez, D-N.J.
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie sent a joint letter in September stating that the two states together would cover the other 50 percent of the tunnel’s costs.
The tunnel project, dubbed Gateway, is expected to cost about $20 billion and will be a key component for future high-speed Acela rail service on the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston.
An agreement to fund the construction of new Hudson River rail tunnels has been reached between federal, New York, New Jersey and Amtrak officials that will have the federal government paying for at least half the project, New York news media reported yesterday.
The Gateway Development Corporation is consists of members from USDOT and Amtrak to represent the federal government, a Port Authority member to serve as chair of the board with an Amtrak official to serve as vice chair. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have been working with Foxx, and joined in Thursday’s announcement.
Federal officials have agreed to pay half the costs for two new train tunnels connecting New Jersey and NY.
The Port Authority will provide primary support staff for the corporation as well as office space, administrative, technological and logistical support.
“This agreement is a significant step forward for the Gateway project, which because of the current tunnel’s deteriorating condition and growing demand is among our nation’s most important infrastructure projects”, Sen.
The project will involve construction of a new tunnel system under the Hudson River, as well as reconstruction of the existing 105-year-old tunnel, owned by Amtrak.
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U.S. Senator Cory Booker was one of the senators-along with New York’s Charles Schumer-who secured the funding with the USDOT. New Jersey Transit has already committed to overseeing an environmental analysis of the project, a process that is expected to take about three years.
