Honoring commits that already have been made. Ensuring the New York City regional economy is secure. Providing nearly 100,000 jobs and generating $20 billion in economic activity.
Jerry Keenan, the president of the N.J. Alliance for Action, can rattle off any number of reasons why the federal government must continue to provide funding for the Gateway Tunnel project, but none may be greater than this:
“Our national economy depends on getting it done,” he said.
Keenan, on a day in which the Gateway Development Corporation warned that the project will stop on Feb. 6 unless the federal government releases more funding, made his case at the GDC meeting.
“Today, I’m here to be very clear,” he said. “The federal government must restore federal funding for this project now.
“The Hudson Tunnel Project isn’t just a regional priority. It’s the most urgent infrastructure project in America.”
Founded in 1974, the New Jersey Alliance for Action is a non-partisan and non-profit association representing thousands of business, labor, government, utility, academic and other New Jersey leaders.
Its mission is to improve New Jersey’s economy through the promotion of environmentally friendly capital construction and infrastructure investment. It’s the reason why the Alliance was behind the push to approve the Port Authority’s $45 billion ask to dramatically improve its infrastructure.
The Gateway Tunnel may be more important. It’s why elected officials on both sides of the Hudson spoke passionately about it on Tuesday.
Keenan echoed their concerns, saying that the impact of shutting down the project will be beyond immense — and that the region cannot withstand it.
“The North River Tunnel is 116 years old. It’s not a question of if it will need to close for major repairs … it’s when,” he said. “And without a new tunnel in place, travel up and down the East Coast will be severely disrupted, costing the national economy billions of dollars.
“This project is also a powerful job creator. Right now, five active construction sites support more than 11,000 construction jobs and over 20,000 total jobs. When complete, the Hudson Tunnel Project will generate roughly 95,000 jobs and nearly $20 billion in economic activity.”
The biggest issue that’s perplexing Keenan is one that many others share. It’s not about finding funding for the $18 billion project; it’s about using the monies that already have been approved.
“Let’s also be clear,” he said. “Funding for the project has already been allocated. The federal government has signed legally binding agreements committing to provide these funds. Continuing to fund the Hudson Tunnel Project doesn’t take money away from anything else.
“It simply honors commitments already made.”
And builds on money already spent.
“More than one billion taxpayer dollars have already been invested. Massive construction is underway in both New York and New Jersey,” he said. “Stopping now puts that investment at risk. It’s crazy.”
Keenan lauded the efforts of the GDC.
“The Gateway Development Commission has delivered,” he said. “Since breaking ground in 2023, milestones have been met on time and on budget. And tunnel boring is ready to begin in weeks.
“This project is ready. The workforce is ready. The economy is counting on it. Now the federal government must do its part and restore funding. And it must do it immediately.”
