Federal funding boosts Hudson Tunnel project

1 February 2023


Construction will start on New York’s Gateway Tunnel this year after President Biden announced a US$292m (£237m)grant for the project.

Biden revealed the financial aid during a visit to Manhattan yesterday.

Following the announcement, the Gateway Development Commission (GDC), the bi-state public authority charged with overseeing the Gateway Program to upgrade train infrastructure between New York and New Jersey, said that “with President Biden’s support and tireless work, Gateway will start active construction this year to deliver a more reliable, climate resilient, 21st century rail link for the region and the nation”.

The project involves building a new 2.4-mile two-tube tunnel under the Hudson River and refurbishing Amtrak’s existing 112-year-old North River rail tunnel, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor is the most heavily-used passenger rail line in the US.

Speaking to New York and New Jersey elected leaders, Biden described the project as “one of the biggest and most consequential projects in the country”.

In autumn last year it was revealed that the tunnel’s cost had rocketed by US$2bn to US$16bn. The GDC attributed the increased price to inflationary pressures and supply chain issues.

In December, the GDC announced it was seeking a delivery partner for the project.

News of the US$292m grant came a day after Biden visited Baltimore where he announced the State of Maryland and Amtrak had signed an agreement, which includes a US$450m (£363m) commitment from the state’s transportation agency for the Baltimore-Potomac tunnel replacement project. The total cost of the programme is expected to be approximately US$6bn (£4.84bn), of which Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding could contribute up to US$4.7bn (£3.61bn).