Gateway Project clears final hurdle, but tunnel construction won't begin until 2023

Nicholas Katzban, NorthJersey.com
·2 min read

The long-awaited Gateway Project, which will include construction of a new commuter rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey, obtained its final approval, allowing crews to begin digging the new passage as soon as 2023.

A permit granted by the Army Corps of Engineers last week cleared the project of its final procedural hurdle, though funding will need to be released for shovels to hit the ground, according to a spokesperson for Gateway's development commission.

"The latest financial plan calls for full construction on the tunnel to begin in mid 2023, and the project to take approximately eight years," said Stephen Sigmund of the Gateway Program.

But, he added, the commission was eyeing "potential early work projects as well."

The North River Tunnel is seen from a train traveling to New York's Penn Station.
The North River Tunnel is seen from a train traveling to New York's Penn Station.

The new tunnel will comprise two tubes servicing rail lines to New York's Penn Station and marks the first new rail tunnel built underneath the Hudson River since 1910.

Proponents of the project expect the new lines to ease congestion that has beleaguered commuters ever since Superstorm Sandy severely damaged two 100-year-old tunnels, which will be rehabilitated as part of the total Gateway project, Sigmund said.

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The new tunnel and repairs on the existing tubes comes with a projected $12.3 billion price tag.

Over the years, the project has been derailed by former Gov. Chris Christie and President Donald Trump. However, current President Joe Biden and his secretary of transportation, Pete Buttiegig, have remained strong in their stated commitment to the project, which is expected to benefit from Biden's recently signed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill.

Nicholas Katzban is a breaking news reporter for NorthJersey.com. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Email: katzban@northjersey.com

Twitter: @nicholaskatzban

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Gateway tunnel clears final hurdle, but digging won't begin until 2023