NJ senators, Amtrak propose new rail tunnel plan
Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., left, listens as Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., talks about the 'Gateway Tunnel', Monday in Newark, N.J. (Feb. 7, 2011) Credit: AP
New Jersey’s two U.S. senators and Amtrak officials on Monday unveiled a new proposal to build a rail tunnel under the Hudson River to replace the project killed by Gov. Chris Christie.
Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both Democrats, say the new plan would follow the nine-mile path from Secaucus to New York City that had been proposed for the derailed project. However, the new project would connect to new tracks in Penn Station, rather than end under the city’s West 34th Street.
The project is still in the planning stages.
Amtrak is proposing to spend $50 million to begin preliminary engineering and design on the two new rail tunnels, called the "Gateway Project." Christie killed the plans to build a second commuter rail tunnel under the Hudson River, citing concerns over cost overruns.
