Commuters May Have To Help Foot Bill For Hudson River Rail Tunnels
HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- New tunnels under the Hudson River could lead to a surcharge for train riders.
As CBS2's Christine Sloan reported, the federal government and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will partner in the project to help ease congestion – but commuters will have to help foot the bill.
Amtrak, whose tracks NJ TRANSIT trains use, is getting two new rail tunnels. The $20 billion Gateway Project is expected to help alleviate problems on current century-old tracks.
The current problems led to major delays and cancellations on NJ TRANSIT lines this summer.
"It'll probably be helpful to ease the congestion and everything," said Lauren Clark of Hoboken.
There will be representatives from New York, New Jersey, Amtrak and U.S. Department of Transportation overseeing the project.
A total of $10 billion for the project will come from the federal government, but New York and New Jersey will be responsible for the rest.
The Port Authority recently raised tolls at its bridges and tunnels, and is not ruling out a surcharge to rail commuters.
Not everyone is a fan of the idea.
"I think we pay enough already," one commuter said.
But when asked if he would be willing to pay the surcharge, Joe Dunn of Hoboken said, "If it made the commute a little easier, I guess so."
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker said it is too soon to discuss whether the surcharge will become a reality, but he did not endorse the idea.
"You know, look, I think that's way too soon to say something like that," Booker said. "My feeling is commuters are paying too much already, so let's look at all the other options we have not to put this on the backs of commuters."
Booker sponsored legislation – part of a federal transportation bill just signed into law by President Barack Obama – to commit federal dollars to the Gateway Project and to offer both states funding options.
"Also in my bill was very favorable loan terms called the RIFF Loan that the states can now use – and actually they don't have to start paying back for the loans until five years after the project is done," Booker said.
The tunnels will not be completed for another 15 years, so everyone agrees something has to be done. The current tunnels have five to 10 years left before they fall apart.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie chose the Port Authority to be a 50 percent partner in the project.
