Passaic Today

Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) announced on July 6 a $6.88 billion federal grant and the beginning of the engineering phase of the Hudson Tunnel Project. This massive federal funding injection from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program will propel one of the nation's most vital infrastructure initiatives forward, ensuring the continued prosperity and connectivity of the entire Northeast region for generations to come.

“On July 6 a momentous step for our region and our nation," said Congressman Pascrell, one of the Hudson Tunnel Project’s most ardent supporters in the Congress. “The infusion of $6.88 billion federal grant for this long-awaited project will not only modernize and expand our infrastructure, but it will also create thousands of jobs, stimulate economic growth, and ensure the safety and efficiency of our transportation network for decades to come. It is a damn shame that previous administrations in New Jersey and the White House did their best to kill this type of work but I am grateful for the Biden Administration, Governor Murphy, and a Democratic Congress for doing everything possible to ensure federal dollars that aid our region’s travel and infrastructure are available.”

The Hudson Tunnel Project represents a monumental step towards addressing the aging infrastructure challenges and enhancing the transportation capacity of the Northeast Corridor. The project encompasses the construction of a new, state-of-the-art tunnel beneath the Hudson River, as well as the rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel. These funds ensure the Hudson Tunnel Project can receive most of the Federal funding needed for full construction. The remainder of the federal funding is expected to come through the approximately $4 billion in Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program, Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE), and Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grants that have already been applied for. The States of New Jersey and New York along with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have committed to fully funding the local share of the project.

Pascrell welcomed President Biden to Kearny, New Jersey in 2021 as the administration announced its commitment to fund the Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River, a key piece of the larger Gateway program which will receive a federal investment of over $1 Billion.

Original source can be found here