Our Take on the Gateway Project “Termination”

The Gateway Project, the centerpiece of which is a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City, has been terminated, President Trump said Wednesday at a White House news conference at which he addressed various subjects.

Two weeks ago, when federal funding for the project was merely “frozen,” we urged our members and readers to contact Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy to insist that the funding be un-frozen. This project, which depends on $16 billion in federal funds, is among the most important passenger rail projects in the country, possibly second only to California High Speed Rail. Its postponement or cancellation will harm the American economy and hurt real people.

Here’s where we, as advocates, stand at the moment:

• The decision was announced abruptly and appeared to be personally directed at Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York, the Senate minority leader, whose cooperation the president believes he needs to resolve an impasse over the federal budget.
• This decision is political, and unrelated to the merits of the project.
• The need for this project – a new tunnel, plus rehabilitation of the 115-year-old tunnel currently in use – will not go away. This work must be completed, either by this Administration or by a subsequent Administration.
• We are frustrated beyond words – well, there are words, but they’re inappropriate to use here – that a project of such great importance to our nation’s future, with construction under way, has been stopped and apparently “terminated.”
• Our advocacy on this project will not relent. At this very moment, it appears the matter is at a Washington-insiders level. That doesn’t mean we can’t have influence. All of our members, readers and allies – especially those in New Jersey and New York – should communicate with their congressional representatives and let them know it is unacceptable to for the president to use this crucial project, with funding already committed, as a poker chip.

This tunnel WILL BE built, but every delay is bad for America.

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