Schumer Blasts Christie On Tunnel Cancellation
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - Three months after Gov. Chris Christie (R-New Jersey) scuttled plans for a new Hudson River rail tunnel, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) is calling it a terrible decision, not just now, but for generations to come.
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WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reports
"Historians will look back on this decision to put a stop to the largest transit project in the country as a negative turning point," said Schumer.
Christie is firing back, saying Senators don't have the same pressures.
"Their job is easy. They get to sit, you know, in front of microphones and, you know, bloviate. I've got to balance budgets," said Christie.
Christie adds that Schumer should keep out of New Jersey's business.
Christie announced in October he would halt the Trans-Hudson Passenger Rail Tunnel, even though construction was already under way. He said the project's costs were skyrocketing and that his cash-strapped state couldn't afford it.
Schumer said the rail project is essential to help the region grow and thrive.
He's urging the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to reject Christie's effort to divert $1.8 billion in funds dedicated to the rail project to repairing roads and bridges instead.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
