NEW YORK — Two congressmen have announced plans for legislation that would force the federal government to produce a “doomsday” contingency plan in the event of a major failure of Amtrak’s aging tunnel under the Hudson River.
Reps. Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) announced their plans Monday at New York’s Penn Station. The Associated Press reports the legislation is sparked by frustration over slow progress in building a new tunnel to connect New York and New Jersey. The proposed $13 billion tunnel is part of the Gateway Project to upgrade the Northeast Corridor.
“This is being slow-walked by the [Department of Transportation],” King said. The two congressmen hope the legislation will bring more attention to the project, which has been stalled during the Trump administration. [See “Talks aside, action on Gateway tunnel still stalled,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 4, 2018.]
The two tubes of the existing tunnel, which opened in 1910, are used by roughly 200,000 passengers a day. The tubes were damaged by saltwater flooding during Hurricane Sandy, and could require extensive repairs within a decade. If one tube is shut down, it will reduce peak-hour service by 75 percent.
“Just give us a plan,” Gottheimer said. “… We think this will actually just keep ratcheting up the pressure to get it done.”
