NEW YORK — Officials signed off on a $6.88 billion federal grant Monday for the Northeast Corridor’s Gateway Tunnel project — the largest single federal grant ever for a transit infrastructure project, and part of $11 billion in federal money for the $16 billion project to build two new bores under the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York.
The ceremony in Manhattan included signing the grant agreement for the $6.88 million award under the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants program, as well as $4.1 billion for three Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loans from the Department of Transportation. In addition to funding the two new single-track tubes, the project includes rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel, which handles about 450 trains per day and sustained significant damage during 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.
The FTA grant had been announced a year ago as part of a press release announcing permission for the tunnel project to enter the engineering phase. It was heralded then by two U.S. Senators who have focused on obtaining federal funding — Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Cory Booker (D-N.Y.) [see “Federal government commits $6.88 billion …,” Trains News Wire, July 7, 2023].
The project will be built in eight stages, two of which are already in progress: ground stabilization work in Manhattan and bridge and utility relocation in North Bergen, N.J. More project details are available here.
NJ.com reports completion of the tunnels is projected for June 2038 with full project completion by November 2040, according to an FTA risk report.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said at the ceremony that the funding is for “the most consequential infrastructure project in all America,” NJ.com reports, citing the 20% of gross domestic product generated by the New York-New Jersey region; the 95,000 construction jobs expected to result; and the projected $20 billion in economic activity it will generate.
U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg said in a press release that the signing “represents a major milestone in a years-long effort to build a new Hudson River crossing that has included U.S. DOT, Congress, two states, Amtrak, the Port Authority [of New York and New Jersey], local officials, labor partners, and more.”
The American Public Transportation Association heralded completion of the grant funding in a statement, with CEO Paul P. Skoutelas saying the project “will enhance passenger rail travel for millions, support economic vitality, and demonstrate the nation’s capacity for large-scale, collaborative achievements. Historic investments under the [Bipartisan Infrastructure Law] are vital for America’s future strength and prosperity. Strong public transit and passenger rail grows the economy by connecting people to jobs, education, healthcare, businesses, and opportunities.”
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