NEW YORK — On a second consecutive day highlighting plans to support rail infrastructure projects, President Joe Biden said today (Tuesday, Jan. 31) that the federal government would provide $292 million in grants for the early stages of the effort to build new rail tunnels beneath the Hudson River to connect New York and New Jersey.
“This is just the beginning,” Biden said, according to a New York Times report, during an appearance at the Long Island Rail Road’s West Side Yard at Hudson Yards. “The beginning of finally constructing a 21st century rail system.
That funding will provide only a fraction of the money for what is expected to be a $16 billion project to build the new tunnels for the Northeast Corridor route into Penn Station, then rehabilitate the existing bores, damaged by flooding during Hurricane Sandy. The tunnels are part of the larger $30 billion Gateway project, which includes additional Northeast Corridor infrastructure work. One part of overall project, replacement for the aging and problem-plagued Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey, has been funded and work has begun [see “Groundbreaking marks start of work …,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 2, 2022].
Biden was joined by officials including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who called the project “the lifeblood of not just our region, but the entire nation’s economy,” and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. The two governors have previously reached agreement on how to fund their states’ portion of the tunnel project [see “New York, New Jersey sign agreement …,” News Wire, July 7, 2022].
The White House said the funding announced Tuesday is for a $649 million project that will complete concrete casing to preserve the future right-of-way for the new tunnel between Penn Station and the edge of the Hudson River, protecting the tunnel route from future development Hudson Yards development.
“Completing the last phase of the concrete casing kicks us into high gear on the Hudson Tunnel Project,” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said in a statement. “The new tunnel is essential to the future of the region and the nation, and will improve the customer experience for millions, create career opportunities for thousands, and help us fight climate change.”
What about the rest of the country west of the NE Corridor. Personally, I would end the subsidies for roads and aviation[would keep safety rules]. This would encourage the private rail carriers to reenter the rail passenger business.
If I were running Amtrak, and had the authority and funding to do service upgrades and equipment, I would invite Air Emirates, Ethiad and Singapore Airlines to help with the improvements.
These three carriers win awards for their service across ALL levels. As an example, Air Emirates premium economy is BETTER than Amtrak coach class service.
Their premium economy service provides a comfortable seat with footrests, pillow and leg rests. You are even provided a blanket and small toiletry bag.
This service is similar to what the Pennsylvania Railroad offered on its New York/St Louis day trains in the 1950s.
the services that these three airlines offer at the First Class level are similar to what Pullman offered on its sleepers. Actually, I would say it EXCEEDS that:)
Tell Joe that the tunnel will lead to Ukraine and it will be fully funded tomorrow.
LOL !!
It’s needed for sure!
Mark, if you are worrying about what the last administration did for the project, what did the previous administrations ( 8 years of Obama and Amtrak Joe, and the Bushes and Clinton) do since this has been an issue and problem for years.
It’s a start, more than the last Administration ever did.
You have to start somewhere and this is a project that should have been started years ago and not be allowed to deteriorate to the condition it is in now and of course each year that this project was put off or politicians debated about cost and what plan of action to follow things just got more expensive or worse. Of course today’s rail commuters won’t have the chance to take advantage of the new tunnels or use them – the amount of years that this project will take to build and complete will see the current generation either retire, pass on or move away. Maybe their children and grandchildren will be able to ride and enjoy the new tunnels. An example of this look how long it took to finally build and finish the new East Side Access project and Grand Central Station . Hundreds of LIRR commuters traveled to and from work and home dreaming and hoping of a better way to their jobs on the East Side and in the passing years either moved away, retired from their jobs or passed on. Now it is is their children and grandchildren and a new generation that will be using a line that only thie parents could hope for, Same goes for the Hudson River Tunnel project
Joseph C. Markfelder
Essentially a photo op. A PR event to placate the political side. We spend way more on other things with no pressers.
Yes David, a small start but you have to start somewhere. In a better world the entire cost would be committed but that’s not how things get done.
$292 Million is about the amount of money the government throws away on useless expenditure in any given hour. Good they found some money to go to this project but a lot more will be needed.
Good news. A small start, but at least a start.