Rep. Sherrill Blasts Secretary Chao After Yet Another Power Failure in Hudson River Tunnel

Secretary Chao jeopardizes the safety of New Jersey commuters by blocking approval for the Gateway Tunnel Project

Parsippany, NJ — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) today blasted Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao after a power failure in the Hudson River Tunnel last night left thousands of New Jerseyans stranded during their evening commute.

“Secretary Chao jeopardizes the safety of New Jersey commuters by blocking approval for the Gateway Tunnel Project,” said Representative Sherill. “The Department of Transportation must stop playing partisan politics with the lives of New Jerseyans, and understand that funding for Gateway is more than just a regional concern — it is a national priority and our economy depends on getting shovels in the ground. The stonewalling from the Department of Transportation should be unacceptable not only to New Jerseyans, but to all Americans.”

Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the Department of Transportation has willfully failed to make any progress on Gateway. As just one example, the Federal Railroad Administration is 675 days past their self-imposed deadline to respond to the Environmental Impact Statement for the Hudson River Tunnel.

Representative Sherrill has been a tireless advocate in Congress for Gateway. In May 2019, she brought Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio to New Jersey to tour the Hudson River Tunnel. During the delegation trip, Chairman DeFazio committed to prioritizing Gateway in any House infrastructure package. She also hosted a briefing in February 2019 highlighting the national economic impact of a partial Hudson River Tunnel closure.

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