This grant, provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT), will enable the commencement of the Tonnelle Avenue Gateway early work project.
"With this $25 million grant award from US DOT, the Tonnelle Avenue Gateway early work project will happen. Before this year is out, there will be shovels in the ground on this project and on the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing Section 3, so work will be underway on the Hudson Tunnel Project in both New Jersey and New York," stated the commissioners.
Image Credit: courtesy of Amtrak
Expressing their enthusiasm for the progress of the Gateway Program, the commissioners highlighted the confidence shown in the Gateway Development Commission's growth and capability to receive federal funding. They expressed their gratitude to the Biden Administration, US DOT, Majority Leader Schumer, congressional allies, and the governors for their support, emphasizing the significance of real financial investment in the project.
The Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project, scheduled to commence in 2023, aims to construct an overpass and relocate necessary utilities to accommodate Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen, NJ, over the alignment of the new Hudson River Tunnel.
This two-year project marks the first early work in New Jersey for the new Hudson Tunnel.
The RAISE discretionary grants provided by the US DOT play a crucial role in assisting project sponsors at the state and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, and counties, in completing essential freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects.
The Gateway Program, deemed the most urgent infrastructure program in the country, encompasses a comprehensive set of rail investments designed to enhance commuter and intercity services, bolster resilience, and create additional capacity for the busiest section of the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The NEC, renowned as the nation's most heavily used passenger rail line, handles over 2,200 train movements and serves 800,000 passengers daily.
