Congressman Sires Advocates for Gateway Project at Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Hearing

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ)highlighted the importance of funding for the Gateway Project in an exchange with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg at a committee hearing titled “The Administration’s Priorities for Transportation Infrastructure.”

“We have two commuter tunnels that are over 100 years old. During Superstorm Sandy, a lot of saltwater got into the tunnels…I’m concerned that if we don’t address this issue, it’s going to be catastrophic,” said Congressman Sires. “This corridor serves a region that is home to 17 percent of the U.S. population and 97 Fortune 500 company headquarters. The area also contributes 20 percent of the national GDP. My home state, the state of New York, and the Port Authority are ready to work with you. I’m hopeful that we can get a commitment from the Administration to partner with us to get this done.”

“I share your sense of urgency about the Gateway issue and related projects,” replied Secretary Buttigieg. “This is a regional issue but one of national significance because if there was a failure in one of those tunnels, the entire U.S. economy would feel it.”

Congressman Sires has consistently advocated for the Gateway Project and New Jersey’s transportation needs. On February 27, 2021, Congressman Sires voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan Act, which provided an additional $78 million in funding for the Portal North Bridge project, as well as $970 million for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and $2 billion for New Jersey Transit.