Resolution to Fund Gateway Program Released from Committee

The Senate Transportation Committee advanced a joint resolution to support funding for the Gateway Program. SJR80 (Lagana) urges federal government to adhere to commitment to improve Northeast Corridor rail infrastructure by providing funding to complete Gateway Program. This project is really the life-blood of the East Coast because it will double the capacity of the tunnels to transport people to and from New Jersey and New York City. We need this project because it will allow commuters to work in the morning easier, with fewer delays and more trains. Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, released the following statement:

“Our region needs the Gateway Tunnel because it will move our transportation system into the 21st century. With all the problems we have with NJ Transit, our crumbling infrastructure The existing tunnels are 100 years old and we need to update this antiquated and failing apart system. This project will allow us to repair and replace those old tunnels in the future and make our transportation system more resilient. That is why we need this project to help get commuters to work and get more cars off the road. Given the fact that cars are the biggest source of air pollution in this region, this project is even more needed. Since one train could take 500 cars off the road, we will see millions of tons of air pollution reductions as well as major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This project is a win-win for the environment and economy.

“Unlike the ARC tunnel, this project allows for regional connectivity, sending more trains from Washington D.C. to Boston and New York City. It would create a backup tunnel for Amtrak that would service Penn Station, and enable trains to travel from one area of the metropolitan region to another. It will also help the expansion of New Jersey Transit to other areas. It means that more people from the Raritan Valley and other regions of New Jersey will be able to commute non-stop on a one-seat ride. The Moynihan Station will also be expanded to allow more New Jersey trains to come to New York. The project will increase ridership and make it easier for regional activity.

“These tunnels are not only vital for New Jersey and New York City, but for the region and the whole Northeast Corridor. It will double the capacity of the tunnels to transport people to and from New Jersey and New York City. The project will allow commuters to work in the morning easier, with fewer delays and more trains. This would expand the train system in New York and New Jersey. This would allow New Jersey passengers to have easy access to the Long Island Railroad. It will allow more through trains from places like Trenton to Montauk, New York or from Bayhead to Greenwich, Connecticut. There will be a train from New Jersey to Sunnyside. The tunnel will even make it easier for our region to get to Boston and Florida. Especially with the need for a new bus terminal at the Port Authority, there will be thousands more commuters being able to take the train until that project is resolved.

“Thousands more people are going to be able to commute to New York City and it will also create more jobs during the construction of the tunnel. The project will promote more transit oriented development along the tunnel corridor, while protecting open space. It will revitalize communities because transit villages will be expanded and less people will be driving to work.  New Jersey commuters have experienced hours of delays, breakdown of trains, overcrowding as well as equipment failures. Having more dissatisfied transit riders means more people will drive, adding to traffic, pollution, and sprawl. With more trains moving into New York City and the region, there will be great environmental benefits.”