TRENTON — With the multi-billion dollar Hudson River commuter train tunnel remaining on the endangered species list this week, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) has fired off a letter to New Jersey’s representatives on the Port Authority, saying the agency agreed 19 months ago to work with New Jersey to handle cost overruns. The Federal Transit Administration is working...
Workers watch as politicians speak of their support for the $8.7 billion ARC tunnel planned for commuter rail service between New Jersey and Manhattan.TRENTON — With the multi-billion dollar Hudson River commuter train tunnel remaining on the endangered species list this week, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) has fired off a letter to New Jersey’s representatives on the Port Authority, saying the agency agreed 19 months ago to work with New Jersey to handle cost overruns.
The Federal Transit Administration is working on its final tally for the overruns on the Access to the Region’s Core ARC tunnel — the nation’s largest public works project — and could have a number this week.
The tunnel between New Jersey and midtown Manhattan was expected to cost $8.7 billion, but overruns could add up to $5 billion more.
Democrats think Republican Gov. Chris Christie will kill the tunnel project and use New Jersey’s share of the money to replenish the nearly broke Transportation Trust Fund, thus keeping the governor’s promise not to hike the gas tax for the fund that pays for the Garden State’s road and bridge repairs and transit services.
On Sept. 10, Christie called for a 30-day time out on new tunnel construction to determine the financial viability of the project that was expected to double train capacity by the end of 2018.
Up to $600 million has already been spent on the project, including underpass work where the tunnel was to start in North Bergen.
In a letter today to deputy executive director Bill Baroni and chairman Anthony R. Coscia, New Jersey’s top Port Authority representatives, Lautenberg said rail traffic from New Jersey to Manhattan is at top capacity and he asked for additional support if there are cost overruns.
Wrote Lautenberg: "As one of two local partners on the project, the Port Authority promised to contribute to cost overruns in a March 2009 Project Work Agreement between it and NJ Transit that read: ‘Should THE (Trans-Hudson Express) Tunnel Project’s cost exceed $8.7 billion or should the Parties secure less than $3 billion in New Starts, both Parties agree to work together in good faith to secure additional funding sources for THE Tunnel project.’
"It is essential for the Port Authority to indicate its willingness to make the investments necessary to complete this project," he continued. "This tunnel is critical to the residents, workers, and commuters of our state, and the key to hundreds of thousands of jobs in the future. I am confident that with your help, a solution to this impasse can be found."
Through a spokesman, the Port Authority declined comment.
The Port Authority and Federal Transit Administration have each pledged $3 billion for the project and New Jersey has committed $2.7 billion — $1.25 billion in New Jersey Turnpike Authority money and the balance in federal funds that flow to the state.