Gov. Christie Joins Bipartisan Federal-State Coalition Urging Federal Commitment to NE Corridor Transportation

On Apr 19, 2017

Governor Chris Christie today joined Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Donald Payne Jr. and state lawmakers at Newark’s Pennsylvania Station to stress the importance of the federal government, New Jersey and New York continuing their commitment to upgrading and maintaining the Northeast Corridor’s transportation infrastructure.

A statement from the State of New Jersey reads, “In the past two weeks, Amtrak’s failure to adequately maintain and repair infrastructure caused two train derailments and a train to be stuck in a tunnel at New York’s Penn Station, leaving passengers stranded for hours. Incidents like these – or even worse – will continue to happen unless crucial federal resources are provided.  Without supporting the modernization and expansion of our system, the federal government would effectively stifle economic growth and lessen the quality of life in America’s most densely populated and economically productive region.”

The statement adds, “Governor Christie and Senator Booker invited U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to come see the needed infrastructure improvements and move forward with plans already agreed upon by the federal government, New Jersey and New York.

“The Gateway Program focuses on the section of the NEC between Newark, NJ and New York’s Pennsylvania Station.  It will deliver a set of projects that replaces and updates rail infrastructure, which, in many cases is more than 100 years old, as well as increases track, tunnel, bridge, and station capacity.  This section handles approximately 450 intercity Amtrak and New Jersey Transit commuter trains each weekday, with more than 200,000 daily trips through the nation’s busiest Amtrak station.

“Governors Christie and Cuomo are committed to the Gateway Program. The federal Department of Transportation had committed to paying 50 percent of the cost, with New Jersey and New York splitting the remainder of the cost – 25 percent each, including contributions through the PANYNJ.

“The Gateway Program is a comprehensive rail investment program designed to modernize and improve a vital section of the Northeast Corridor, in two phases:

• Phase 1 – intended to maintain existing cross-Hudson capacity by replacing or improving failing assets. Includes:  New Hudson Tunnels, rehabilitation of the existing tunnels, replacement of the Portal Bridge, Western Yards Concrete Casing in Manhattan.

• Phase 2 – intended to increase cross-Hudson capacity through a constellation of addition projects in the region. Includes: Construction of Portal Bridge South (a second, parallel bridge), Penn Station (expansion), replacement of the Sawtooth Bridge, Secaucus Loop, High Line (Newark to Secaucus) expansion to four tracks.

Related Articles: