TRENTON — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey paid $95.5 million to lease land for the Hudson River tunnel project a week before Gov. Chris Christie froze it. The agency told The Record newspaper it signed a preliminary contract for the site in 2009. The agency said breaking the deal could have brought a possible lawsuit...
Construction workers work on a support to Tonnelle Avenue at the designated entrance way to the ARC Tunnel construction site in North Bergen, in this September 2010 photo.
TRENTON — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey paid $95.5 million to lease land for the Hudson River tunnel project a week before Gov. Chris Christie froze it.
The agency told The Record newspaper it signed a preliminary contract for the site in 2009. The agency said breaking the deal could have brought a possible lawsuit and substantial losses.
The 2-acre tract is a mostly vacant lot on 12th Avenue at 30th Street along New York City's waterfront. It is owned by an investment group that includes Joseph Rose. Rose was a top official in the administration of former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
Christie scrapped the project because he feared cost overruns.
The Port Authority says it has been approached by several developers for use of the land.
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie is appealing $271M bill from U.S. government for ARC tunnel
• N.J. faces deadline to pay federal government for canceled ARC tunnel
• N.J. is given final deadline to appeal or repay $271M ARC tunnel bill
• N.Y. Sen. Charles Schumer slams Gov. Christie for redirecting ARC tunnel funds to N.J. roads
• N.J. Democrats push to end toll hikes intended to fund canceled ARC tunnel
• Decision on whether N.J. will pay bill for canceled ARC tunnel is delayed until next week
• Gov. Christie plans to use ARC tunnel money to pay for repairs to N.J. bridges and roads