New Corporation Formed to Replace Amtrak's Hudson River Rail Tunnels

The announcement of the formation of the Gateway Development Corporation from Sens. Schumer (D-N.Y) and Booker (D-N.J.) "signaled the most significant progress yet on an effort federal officials have called one of the most important infrastructure proposals in the country," writes Emma G. Fitzsimmons for The New York Times.

"This agreement is a significant step forward for the Gateway project, which because of the current tunnel’s deteriorating condition and growing demand is among our nation’s most important infrastructure projects," stated Senator Cory Booker (D) of New Jersey in a press release.

The new corporation will be located within the within the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "It will be controlled by a four-member board with representatives from New York, New Jersey, Amtrak and the federal Transportation Department," adds Fizsimmons.

Amtrak and DOT will pay half the costs according to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Amtrak President N.Y. Gov.Andrew Cuomo and N.J. Gov. Chris Christie have agreed to pay the other half. It was that agreement that enabled the formation of the Gateway Development Corporation with Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Amtrak CEO Anthony Coscia, writes Larry Higgs for NJ.com.

"It’s the first inning of a long game," said Senator Chuck Schumer (D) of New York, "but it’s a big change that has the federal and state players on the field on the same team, instead of in opposing dugouts."

Larry Higgs summarizes the project:

The Gateway project would include two new tunnels under the Hudson River to augment the existing two 105-year-old Amtrak tunnels which NJ Transit also uses for all trains going into New York. The project would also include constructing two new tracks between Newark and New York for a total of four tracks. Amtrak estimates the earliest the new tunnels could be in service would be 2030.