Statement from Mark Longo, Director of the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative, on Portal Bridge Project:

“Replacing the Portal North Bridge is a huge step forward for the region’s transportation systems and for the entire Gateway project. Moving forward with this project will improve our outdated rail infrastructure, bring about more reliable commutes, and safely put thousands of New Jerseyans to work. These systems routinely cause delays that threaten the economic output of the entire Northeast Corridor, and replacing them is a critical phase in rebuilding our economy from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We hope this is the first step toward funding the entire Gateway project, which will replace the Northeast Corridor’s crumbling infrastructure, improve the region’s economy, and finally give our residents and businesses the modern transit systems they deserve. Our members stand ready to work to get these projects up and running. We urge the federal government to move forward with the rest of Gateway immediately.”

Statement from Greg Lalevee, Business Manager of IUOE Local 825, on Portal Bridge Project:

“Today’s decision to move forward with the Portal Bridge project is long overdue. These funds will improve infrastructure systems that are essential for the entire Northeast Corridor and that sustain our economic vitality. Even better, they will create thousands of good-paying jobs. Our members are ready to get safely to work to build the new Portal Bridge, which will give us more reliable and efficient transit systems and provide the economic boost we need to recover from the Covid-19 recession.

Now, we need to move forward with the entire Gateway program. We have waited far too long to begin with these urgently-needed projects, and we urge the federal government to recognize the importance of building new Hudson River tunnels and overhauling our rail system far beyond the Portal Bridge.”