Democrats praise Biden for $6.88B grant aimed at long-awaited Hudson River rail project
Gov. Phil Murphy speaks to a crowd assembled to celebrate the receipt of $6.88 billion in federal funds for the Gateway project in New York City on July 8, 2024. (Courtesy of the New Jersey Governor's Office)
As President Joe Biden faces criticism from members of his own party who have called on him to suspend his reelection campaign, Democratic officials gathered under the scorching sun on the New York side of the Hudson River Monday to heap praise on the president.
At a press conference to celebrate the receipt of $6.88 billion in federal funds for the long-awaited Gateway project, Gov. Phil Murphy, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Chuck Schumer, and other Democrats praised Biden for his support of the $16 billion plan, which will see a two-track rail tunnel built under the Hudson River and the rehabilitation of an existing, century-old tunnel that was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
“It really matters to have someone who understands the rails at the top of the totem pole in this country,” Murphy said.
The governor’s comments were echoed by Schumer (D-NY), who said Biden deserves a “tremendous, tremendous amount of credit,” and Booker (D-NJ), who said Biden’s support of the project is the reason it is moving forward.
“We are here because of his direct involvement. It isn’t something to be overlooked in any way,” added Anthony Coscia, chairman of Amtrak’s board of directors.
The $6.88 billion comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program, and officials said it is the largest grant in U.S. Department of Transportation history. The federal government is footing 70% of the Gateway bill.
The project is not expected to be complete until around 2040. Several speakers noted that the current version stalled under the Trump administration, while an earlier iteration, the ARC tunnel, was halted by then-Gov. Chris Christie in 2010.
“Not every governor was for Gateway,” Schumer said. “This time it’s real. We have crossed the finish line with the full funding grant agreement. We kept up the pace and we made it.”
Officials said the $6.88 billion grant means Gateway will be completed without fear of a new administration putting in roadblocks or stopping the work that’s already begun.
“History will remember those who led the effort to get us to a point of no return and those who build this project,” said Kris Kolluri, CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, the bistate agency overseeing the project.
Transit officials say Gateway is expected to double train capacity from 450 trains daily currently to 900, create more than 95,000 jobs, and generate about $20 billion in economic activity.
Murphy, whose administration has faced criticism in recent weeks over service delays faced by NJ Transit riders, said the Gateway project will help commuters get to work and back home on time.
“I think we need to think of this not just in the ‘wow, big number’ reality, but what it will do for this region, for both of our great states, but also for the lives that will be transformed,” he said. “And it won’t be overnight. It will take time.”
Booker also gave a shout-out to New Jersey’s other senator.
“I, of course, want to give a lot of thanks to New Jersey’s senior senator, who, but for his leadership, we would not be here, Bob Menendez,” Booker said.
Menendez was not present for the press conference. He was in a Lower Manhattan courthouse for his federal corruption trial, which is wrapping up this week.
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