Watson Coleman, Lowey, Price Request Details for Plans to Repair Hudson Tunnel While Open From USDOT

Letter follows exchange between Secretary Chao and Watson Coleman during which Chao suggested Hudson Tunnel repairs could happen while the tunnel remains open.

Washington, D.C. (March 2, 2020) — Following an exchange between Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao last Thursday on the potential for the Hudson Tunnel to undergo repairs and remain open, Watson Coleman joined with Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (NY-17), and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman David Price (NC-04) seeking additional details about any U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) plans to keep the tunnel open during repairs.

“We were surprised to learn about the Department’s new proposal to rehabilitate the existing North River Tunnel while it is still in operation.  The proposal is a significant departure from the Hudson Tunnel Project our constituents, Amtrak, and the Department have been working towards for several years,” the Members wrote. “We appreciate your statements in support of a second, new tunnel under the Hudson River.  However, we need to learn more from the Department about this new proposal.  We need to understand how the proposal would impact the Hudson Tunnel Project the States of New York and New Jersey and Amtrak have been working towards and what the ramifications are for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Hudson Tunnel Project.”

“We need both a fully functioning North River Tunnel and the additional capacity that Gateway’s new tunnels would bring — and we need the federal government’s support for both,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “There are questions from our hearing that remain unanswered, and we hope that Secretary Chao will provide the clarity we need to move forward with this vital project.”

“The security of travelers, commuters, and our regional and national economies depends on the success of this major infrastructure project,” said Chairwoman Lowey. “The federal government must be a reliable partner to protect those traveling through the North River Tunnel while simultaneously prioritizing increased capacity. I hope DOT will provide the information Congress needs to evaluate this project expeditiously.”

“The Gateway Project and Hudson Tunnel restoration are vital for not just the New York-New Jersey region but the entire nation. After years of unnecessary delay, Secretary Chao announced a major change in the administration’s approach during last week’s budget hearing before the T-HUD appropriations subcommittee, but at this point it raises more questions than answers,” said Chairman Price. “I applaud Rep. Watson Coleman for her consistent advocacy and oversight on behalf of this project, and I join her in calling on USDOT to provide additional details.”

Existing plans have long relied on replacement and closure of the North River Tunnel in order to make repairs and refurbishments required after Hurricane Sandy and as the result of the tunnel’s age — one of the reasons urgent completion of the new Gateway Project tunnels is so critical. During an Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Chao highlighted the model used for repairs made to a New York City subway tunnel that remained open during work, presenting the possibility of repairs to the existing tunnel now and later addition of tunnels to expand capacity.

To see the full text of the letter, click here.

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