The U.S. approved USD 15M for design and engineering work on Amtrak’s proposed Gateway Tunnel, part of a rail project connecting Secaucus, New Jersey to New York’s Penn Station, on November 1.
Two new rails tunnels would be constructed under the Hudson River as part of the project. Amtrak’s CEO proposed the line in February following last year’s cancellation of the ARC tunnel by New Jersey governor Chris Christie.
“This funding will allow Amtrak to begin moving the Gateway Tunnel project forward to create jobs, increase access to commuter trains, and bring America’s first real high-speed rail project to New Jersey and the Northeast Corridor,” said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.
The bill will now go before a vote the House.
Amtrak estimates the project could be completed by 2020 with an USD 13.5bn price tag.
