NEWARK, NJ – Congressmembers Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), and Senator Cory Booker today announced over $4 billion in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant awards for Northeast Corridor (NEC) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program projects in New Jersey. The projects are funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and will modernize and revamp rail infrastructure along the NEC.
“Today, I am proud to announce over $4 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding that will transform the passenger experience along the Northeast Corridor,” said Congressman Menendez. “These funds will make the nation’s busiest rail line more resilient and reliable for the millions of passengers that use it every year. Thanks to the partnership of the Biden Administration, Governor Murphy, and our Congressional Delegation, this is the start of a new era of infrastructure investment.”
“Under President Biden, we are finally delivering the generational investments in passenger rail that Americans have wanted for years, including modernizing the busiest rail corridor in the country,” said United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “These investments will make our busiest passenger railroad safer, faster, and more reliable, which means fewer delays and shorter commutes for the 800,000 passengers who rely on the Northeast Corridor every day.”
“After helping craft and pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and working for years to stop endless bureaucratic delays, there’s nothing better than seeing federal investments delivered to Jersey to improve bridges, tunnels, and public transportation infrastructure — all without raising taxes on our families,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “These investments will help residents spend more time with their families by commuting on faster, more reliable infrastructure, create new jobs, and ensure Jersey’s economy is stronger and safer.”
“Today brings us a giant step closer to constructing the new trans-Hudson tunnel we have sought for so many years,” said Congressman Pascrell. “The only thing New Jersey commuters hate more than traffic and rail suspensions are the political and bureaucratic delays that have plagued this desperately needed project for years. The future of our region and our country depends on expanding mass transit capacity, and I am glad the Biden administration agrees. Thanks to this sizable federal investment from the Biden administration, we are taking a big step towards a tristate for the 21st Century.”
“I am extremely excited that the Biden Administration will award $4.48 billion in federal funding to improve New Jersey’s infrastructure, including the $3.8 billion for the new Hudson River Tunnel,” said Congressman Payne, Jr., Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “When I was Chairman of the Railroad Subcommittee for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I helped write the bill that became the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and fought to add $66 billion to it for critical transportation projects, such as the Gateway Program.
“Also, I have worked diligently to secure $3 billion for the program in other appropriations bills and discuss the project with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg constantly,” Payne, Jr. continued. “The Hudson River Tunnel is the most important infrastructure project in the country. The current tunnel is 113 years old and needs to be replaced because any service disruptions could disrupt travel for 200,000 daily passengers. This is a great day for New Jersey!”
“This large round of mass transit investments will pay dividends for generations to come, helping push Gateway toward completion and strengthening regional connectivity,” said Senator Booker. “Thanks to this funding, we will upgrade decades-old infrastructure and help modernize our mass transit system, to the benefit of the lives of millions of commuters. These investments will also spur economic growth and create thousands of jobs for New Jerseyans. I will continue to work with the Biden Administration and congressional colleagues to deliver funding to rebuild New Jersey’s and our region’s transportation infrastructure.”
Today’s announcement follows a recent award of $6.9 billion for the Hudson Tunnel Project, and awards for pre-construction work, including $292 million for right-of-way work, and $25 million for the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project.
This major funding announcement includes:
$3,799,999,820 – Hudson Tunnel Project - Systems & Fit Out, Advancing the Final Design and Construction of the Project
These funds will enable final design and construction activities of the Hudson River Tunnel project and rehabilitation of the existing North River tunnels. Construction will include systems and fit out work in the tunnels, including installation of track, signals, traction power, ventilation, and fire and life safety systems. Design support, design management, and construction management will support the overall project, including tunneling and heavy civil engineering work, the New Jersey surface alignment, and rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel.
$300,184,000 – Dock Bridge Rehabilitation
These funds will enable rehabilitation of the Dock Bridge, which crosses the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison, NJ. The 90-year-old, six-track, steel through-truss bridge will undergo repair of the structural steel, installation of straight steel rails to replace moveable miter rails, repair to concrete piers and fender replacement, and installation of a targeted anti-corrosion protection system to slow or stop future degradation to the bridge structure. The project will improve operations for Amtrak's intercity services, as well as NJ TRANSIT commuter services and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Port Authority Trans-Hudson transit service. Amtrak will provide $75,046,000 in matching funds.
$133,327,610 – Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Enabling Components Project
These funds will enable construction of early-action, critical-path activities for the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement project in Kearny, NJ. The scope includes utility relocations, catenary and aerial signal relocations, removal and replacement of the current crossover between the New Jersey Transit Morris & Essex Line and Conrail Center Street Branch, site access improvements, and property acquisition from Conrail.
$59,200,000 – NJ TRANSIT Newark Penn Station Vertical Circulation Improvements
These funds will enable final design and construction to upgrade, rehabilitate, or replace 11 elevators and 17 escalators within Newark Penn Station in Newark, NJ. The project will improve accessibility and overall passenger circulation throughout the station, which serves Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor services, NJ TRANSIT’s commuter rail network and local transit services, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Port Authority Trans-Hudson transit service. NJ TRANSIT will provide $14,800,000 in matching funds.
