NEW YORK — The chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has vowed to get a new rail tunnel built to connect New York and New Jersey, the Associated Press reports.
Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) made the pledge in comments at New York’s Penn Station as he and other members of his committee prepared to tour Amtrak’s 109-year-old tunnel under the Hudson River and other rail infrastructure in the area. The proposed new tunnel, with an estimated cost of $13 billion, is one component of the Gateway Project which would upgrade infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor. The project is bogged down in political infighting. [See “Gateway Project idles while politicans dispute progress,” Trains News Wire, April 11, 2019.]
DeFazio said the House could waive certain environmental requirements, allowing the project to move forward. “We don’t normally do that,” he said, “but I find it hard to believe there’s a negative impact.”
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump and Democratic congressional leaders met and agreed in broad terms on the need for major infrastructure spending [see “Trump, Democrats agree: $2 trillion needed for infrastructure,” Trains News Wire, April 30, 2019]. But it is too soon to say if the tunnel project might be included.
Marvin Cadwell – are you worried about the vibration? The fish getting dizzy? What on earth can a tunnel, housing electrically-powered trains, do to fish when the tunnel is under tons and tons of bedrock *beneath* the bottom of the river? Everyone will suddenly see the need for the project when one of the tubes springs a leak. Then everyone flying into Newark; commuting each day; wanting to go shopping in Manhattan, will suddenly see the light. The environment needs to be protected, without question — that’s every bit as important as the construction itself. But our political system, and sadly society as a whole, have become so, “What’s in it for me? And how are you going to do this without offending me?” none of the great works projects of the 20th Century are possible today. It’s sad and, on the global stage, it’s embarrassing.
Interesting that a Democrat would want to waive environmental requirements in order to build the tunnels. The EPA normally has the power to shut down any project, even if the impact on the environment is minimal. Suggest the EPA research the effect of the tunnel on the fish living at the bottom of the Hudson.
While I think sometime the comments of Anna Harding are obtuse at best, she. “hit the nail on the head” today!!!!
Words, just words.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
The above comments are general in nature and do not form the basis for an attorney/client relationship. They do not constitute legal advice. I am not your attorney. Find your own damn lawyer.
The political atmosphere is so poisonous that any progress on projects like this will not happen for a while.
Hearing a Democrat, let alone from Oregon say;
“DeFazio said the House could waive certain environmental requirements, allowing the project to move forward. “We don’t normally do that,” he said, “but I find it hard to believe there’s a negative impact.”
But if anyone wants to run a unit oil or coal train to the Port of Portland I am guessing he wouldn’t be so flip about it. Double standards indeed.