Marano and Graner Blast Republicans for Blocking One-Seat Ride on NJ TRANSIT

October 2, 2025 – For decades a bipartisan coalition including the Mayor's Coalition, Raritan Valley Rail Coalition, and concerned residents has fought to create rush-hour one-seat ride for Somerset County commuters. The resulting trans-Hudson tunnel projects would not only improve the quality of life for thousands of Somerset County residents, but create almost 100,000 good paying jobs and bring $445 billion in economic activity to our region.

The ARC tunnels should have been completed five years ago, but Governor Christie killed that project in 2010. The Gateway Project is approved and already under construction, but President Trump just killed its funding yesterday out of pure political partisanship. These callous moves have taken away the slight glimmer of hope that a one-seat commute was in reach for Raritan Valley Line riders from High Bridge to Union, including Somerset County’s rail stations in Raritan, Somerville, Bridgewater, and Bound Brook.

We cannot allow this petty act by President Trump to stand, and pledge to continue our fight for Somerset County and will continue to raise our voices in support of the Gateway project for the good of our economy and the quality of life for our residents.

-Somerset County Commissioners Melonie Marano and Liz Graner