gigantic Hudson River underpass construction, costing $16 billion, conjoins New York and New Jersey - essential info for travelers compiled
Jammin' to Jersey just got a whole lot easier, thanks to the Hudson Tunnel Project - the ultimate goal? A smoother commute for city dwellers.
Labeled as the "most urgent infrastructure project in the U.S.", this mega-project worth a whopping $16 billion is set to impact 200,000 daily commuters and create an impressive 100,000 jobs in the process.
After dealing with the brief and stressful NJ Transit strike and the current hassle of repairing the East River Tunnel, a hassle-free trip to Hoboken and Jersey City - hotspots for New Yorkers – is what we all crave.
But just what does the Hudson Tunnel Project entail? Here's the lowdown.
What's with the Hudson Tunnel Project?
The Hudson Tunnel Project, part of the Gateway Program, aims to construct nine miles of new passenger train tracks between New York and New Jersey, complete with a new two-tube tunnel under the Hudson River. Simultaneously, the program aims to repair the 115-year-old existing tunnel.
Once completed, two tracks in the new Hudson River Tunnel and two in the North River Tunnel will connect New York and New Jersey, allowing Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT to keep those trains rollin' and our daily passenger trips tickin' over.
The multi-state project focuses on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), which spans 457 miles through eight states. The 15-mile stretch from Newark, New Jersey, to Penn Station, New York, is the busiest part of the line, with 2,000 commuter and passenger trains and 800,000 daily passenger trips, according to the Gateway Program.
As Kevin O'Toole, President of the Port Authority, put it, "The Gateway is a project that has enormous consequences for the millions of passengers who will benefit from it, and will be a significant driver of economic growth for the entire New Jersey-New York region."
Is the Hudson Tunnel Project happening?
The Hudson Tunnel Project started in 2023 and is essentially a 10-project-in-one package, according to Steve Sigmund, chief public affairs officer of GDC.
According to the Gateway Program website, not one, not two, but five of the 10 Hudson Tunnel Project projects are currently underway, including:
- Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and public service realignment project
- Hudson Yards Concrete Lining Project – Section 3
- Hudson River Soil Stabilization Project
- Palisades Tunnel Project
- Manhattan Tunnel Project
The completion of the new tunnel is slated for 2035, with rehabilitation of the existing tunnel the following three years.
So, who's paying for all this?
The federal government and the partners – New York, New Jersey, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) – have banded together to fund the project, sharing the costs 70/30. That's correct – the feds are picking up the lion's share!
And locals stand to benefit, too. The project is projected to support 95,000 jobs and drive $19.6 billion in economic output. While exact figures for the five active projects are not available, combined they support 20,200 jobs and generate $4.5 billion in economic activity.
Want more deets on the project and updates on its progress? Head over to the Gateway Development Commission's site.
[1] Gateway Program Fact Sheet ([Link Removed])[2] Recent Progress at the Hudson Yards Concrete Lining Project, HYCC-3, and at the Portal North Bridge ([Link Removed])[3] About the Hudson Tunnel Project ([Link Removed])[4] Project Partners ([Link Removed])[5] Frequently Asked Questions ([Link Removed])
- Despite the ongoing challenges with the NJ Transit strike and East River Tunnel repairs, projects like the Hudson Tunnel Project, which is part of the Gateway Program, promise to address issues in the transportation industry, aiming to construct new passenger train tracks and repair old tunnels, potentially reducing finance-related stress for commuters in the future.
- The completion of the Hudson Tunnel Project, due in 2035, is estimated to create up to 95,000 jobs nationwide and generate substantial economic output, not only improving the transportation sector but also injecting resources into finance and other industries.
