NEW YORK – President Donald Trump has recently expressed strong opposition to the nation’s most extensive infrastructure initiative, stirring up tensions with congressional Democrats.
His latest remarks indicate that he intends to terminate the Gateway tunnel project, designed to enhance train services between New York and New Jersey in the country’s most used rail corridor.
The planned project aims to build a new rail tunnel and repair the existing two tunnels under the Hudson River, which have been in service for over a century. Despite construction work commencing at various locations and involving hundreds of workers as of mid-October, Trump is targeting this $16 billion project with threats to cut funding.
During an interview with FOX News, Trump stated, “I’m cutting the project.” The interview is scheduled to air on “Sunday Morning Futures” on October 19. He added, “The project is going to be dead. It’s practically dead right now.”
Trump’s remarks signal a clear message aimed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, who has been instrumental in securing funding for Gateway. “Tell him it’s terminated,” Trump urged earlier this week, as reported by NY Times.
On October 16, Schumer denounced the funding cuts, describing them as “petty revenge politics.” He strongly asserted, “Gateway is the most important infrastructure project in America, period. It will keep our economy moving and ensure tens of thousands of union workers remain employed.”
Stephen Sigmund, spokesperson for the Gateway Development Commission, stated they would refrain from comments regarding Trump’s statements. Meanwhile, inquiries to the White House, Office of Management and Budget, and Department of Transportation went unanswered.
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Daily, a multitude of passengers travel via Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains, using the aged tunnels beneath the Hudson. Damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the existing century-old tunnels represent a pressing issue. If one were to collapse, estimates by the Regional Planning Association suggest it could cost $16 billion over four years, significantly impacting around 33,000 jobs annually.
Interestingly, though Trump has previously condemned cutting public transportation expenses in his campaign, promises made have often gone unfulfilled. He d himself a “builder president,” yet in his first term attempted to terminate Gateway with the administration declaring in 2017 that funding for the new tunnel was nonexistent, according to reports from Crain’s New York Business.
Despite previous challenges to secure funding, the Biden administration’s current battle came to a forefront following a government shutdown. Since October 1, grants for the Gateway project and the Second Avenue Subway in Manhattan have been withheld due to compliance issues with New York City’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program regarding work on federally funded contracts.
Russ Vought, expressing in a X post, noted that this pause aims to ensure fund distribution adheres to constitutional principles regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Sigmund reported that since the funding halt, disbursements for the Gateway project remain stalled. The commission continues discussions with federal entities to comply with all federal stipulations.
Mike Hellstrom from Laborers’ International Union highlighted that this funding cut might delay the ambitious project, risking budget inflation and potential job losses. With five active construction sites located in New York, New Jersey, and the Hudson region, existing shafts and portal entries are being worked on ahead of the arrival of tunneling machines projected for January.
“Working people are heavily impacted by this,” Hellstrom asserted. “Commuters also have a lot at stake regarding rail services.”
In an interview with MSNBC on October 15, New York Governor Kathy Hochul labeled Trump’s approach to this tunnel predictor as “shortsighted.”
“We need to replace these systems; otherwise, a collapse in transport would impact our entire Northeast economy,” she insisted.
In context of the New Jersey governor’s race, the billion-dollar Gateway project has become a key talking point between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Sherrill committed publicly, stating she would “fight relentlessly” for funding to complete this critical project.
Ciattarelli, who received Trump’s endorsement, assured he would advocate for Gateway despite their political leanings. He emphasized the need for a leader who knows how to negotiate with the President to secure equitable federal funding for New Jersey initiatives.
While continual efforts have established a political consensus on the project, expert Alon Levy emphasized that Trump’s threats might lead to delays rather than outright cancellations, suggesting it wouldn’t yield savings.
Updated with additional information to meet editorial standards.
Eduardo Cuevas, based in New York City, can be contacted by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com. Follow on Signal at emcuevas.01.
This article initially appeared on USA TODAY: Trump Aims to Halt Major US Infrastructure Project: The Gateway Tunnel between NY and NJ
