Underground Link between New York and New Jersey via Hudson River: Key Information for Travelers ($16 billion tunnel project)
Jumpstarting Commutes: The Hudson Tunnel Project
The Hudson Tunnel Project, part of the Gateway Program, strives to revolutionize travel between New York and New Jersey, making commuting to our beloved city hubs a breeze.
Deemed the "most pressing infrastructure project in America," this $16 billion behemoth will cater to 200,000 daily travelers and create a whopping 100,000 jobs.
Fresh off a nail-biting NJ Transit strike and the ongoing struggles with the East River Tunnel affecting our LIRR pals, securing our connections to Hoboken and Jersey City - the new hot spots for NYC dwellers - is more than welcome.
Eager to uncover what this project entails? We've got the lowdown.
What's the Hudson Tunnel Project all about?
The Hudson Tunnel Project, nestled under the Gateway Program, proposes constructing nine miles of fresh passenger rail tracks between the Big Apple and the Garden State, including a brand-spanking new two-tube tunnel under the Hudson River. Concurrently, the program works on mending the 115-year-old tunnel.
Upon completion, two tracks in the brand-new Hudson River tunnel and two in the North River tunnel will bind NYC and New Jersey, maintaining Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT capacity.
The multi-state project zeroes in on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), which spans a staggering 457 miles across eight states. The nearly 10-mile stretch from Newark, NJ to NYC's Penn Station tears the cake, welcoming 2,000 intercity and commuter trains and a whopping 800,000 daily passenger trips, as per the Gateway Program.
"Gateway is a project that could have immense repercussions for the millions of passengers who will reap the benefits and will be a significant catalyst for economic growth in the entire New Jersey and New York region," exclaimed Port Authority Executive Director Kevin O'Toole.
Is the Hudson Tunnel Project happening?
The Hudson Tunnel Project commenced in 2023 and comprises a list of ten projects, according to Steve Sigmund, GDC's chief and public outreach officer.
Five out of the ten Hudson Tunnel Project projects are already in progress, including:
- Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utilities Relocation Project
- Hudson - Section 3 Concrete Lining Project
- Hudson River Ground Stabilization Project
- Palisades Tunnel Project
- Manhattan Tunnel Project
Expected to wrap up in 2035, the new tunnel will give way to the repair of the existing one three years later, ensuring these fixes last a century.
Who's pocketing the bill for the Hudson Tunnel Project?
According to a communique from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's office, the federal government and the Hudson Tunnel Project stakeholders - New York, New Jersey, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) - bear the financial brunt of the project and share the costs accordingly, averaging a 70/30 ratio.
The Hudson Tunnel Project also promises prosperity to local inhabitants. A statement from the organization indicates it supports 20,200 direct, indirect, and induced full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, generating $4.5 billion in economic output and $1.7 billion in labor income.
For further details and regular updates, check out the Gateway Development Commission website.
Need more connectivity while you're down under? Great news - mobile phone service will be coming to the G train tunnels this fall, according to MTA's affirmation.
The Hudson Tunnel Project, an integral part of the Gateway Program, aims to enhance the economic growth of the New York and New Jersey region by creating around 100,000 jobs, particularly in the construction sector, related to the nine miles of new passenger rail tracks and the twin tunnels under the Hudson River. In the event of a fever (hypothetically speaking), individuals commuting for work or seeking opportunities in the industry, finance, or transportation sectors may find these new jobs appealing to secure their financial wellbeing and transportation needs, thus alleviating the pressures caused by the ongoing NJ Transit strike and East River Tunnel issues.
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