Booker Statement on FTA Ratings Report

Federal Transit Authority rated the Portal North Bridge and Gateway Project “Medium-Low”

NEWARK, N.J. –  U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the below statement following today’s report by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which rated the proposed Portal North Bridge and Gateway rail tunnels “Medium-Low,” even after the states of New Jersey and New York, working in conjunction with their Congressional delegations and other project sponsors, had significantly strengthened the local funding commitment in both proposals. The rating was part of the FTA’s annual funding report for its Capital Investment Grants Program sent to Congress and jeopardizes federal funding for the Gateway Program.

“Today’s news is incredibly disappointing and continues to needlessly delay construction of the Portal North Bridge and slow down progress on the critical Gateway tunnels. These ratings are, sadly, the latest example of how the Trump Administration is playing politics with these critical infrastructure projects, which is threatening the safety of passengers from New Jersey and the economic vitality of the entire Northeast region. Despite the Trump Administration’s dangerous opposition to the Gateway Program, we must do everything we can to advance these critical projects for the good of our country.”