FTA lowers rating for Gateway tunnels
A revision by the Federal Transit Administration lowering the priority rating for the proposed Gateway rail tunnels could endanger funding for the project linking New York and New Jersey.
Gateway Tunnels
Feds reject Gateway Tunnel financing plan
Federal Transit Administration Deputy Administrator K. Jane Williams outlined a series of concerns regarding an updated financial plan for the Hudson Tunnel project in a letter to New York State Director of Budget Robert Mujica on Dec. 29.
Gateway: Ball is in Trump’s (and Chao’s) court—and they haven’t picked it up
Outgoing New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 14 said that have agreed that their states and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have agreed to contribute $5.55 billion toward the Gateway Program—50% of the massive project’s cost, and placing responsibility with President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Transportation to contribute the remaining half.
DOT tabs Batory as rail advisor
With his nomination as Federal Railroad Administrator awaiting Senate confirmation, Ronald L. Batory has been named as a special assistant on railroad matters to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
Gateway Program wants private sector ideas
The Gateway Program Development Corporation (GDC) is turning to the private sector to issue ideas on how to deliver the Hudson Tunnel Project.
FTA issues ROD for Portal Bridge EIS
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration‘s (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project on the Northeast Corridor.
ACEC honors Gateway engineering team
The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) has presented a National Recognition Award for exemplary engineering achievement to the New York City-based team of WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, STV and AECOM for developing the system-level design of Amtrak’s Gateway Project, which will improve rail access between New Jersey and Manhattan.
Gateway Program: Will Trump keep Obama’s commitment?
Legislators and transportation officials from New Jersey and New York and Amtrak say the Gateway Program to rebuild aging infrastructure and expand capacity on the Northeast Corridor in the New York Metropolitan Area “is on track and all the major players are on board,” according to a report from NJTV News. But questions remain as to whether the incoming Trump Administration will be on board.
Commentary
GUEST BLOG: “Build the new tunnels already”
National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) President and CEO Jim Mathews issued a statement responding to the recent incidents that have affected intercity and commuter rail operations in the New York/New Jersey region of the Northeast Corridor. We reprint it here in its entirety, unedited:
Schumer, Lautenberg, LaHood announce major Gateway Program funding step
Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced May 30 that that the USDOT “has begun the process of fulfilling Amtrak’s request for $185 million in Hurricane Sandy Relief funding.”