Gateway Project commissioners grateful to receive big check ($292M) from Biden

On a day President Joe Biden delivered a $292 million grant to Amtrak to finish the Hudson Yards “tunnel box” concrete casing — another step in the Gateway Tunnel project — Gateway Commission Vice Chair Tony Coscia and co-Chairs Balpreet Grewal-Vick and Alicia Glen gave a note of thanks for his efforts.

“With President Biden’s support and tireless work, Gateway will start active construction this year to deliver a more reliable, climate-resilient, 21st-century rail link for the region and the nation,” they said in a joint statement.

“We are incredibly grateful to him, (Senate) Majority Leader (Chuck) Schumer, (Transportation) Secretary (Pete) Buttigieg, Govs. (Kathy) Hochul and (Phil) Murphy and our entire congressional delegation for their unwavering commitment to the Hudson Tunnel Project.

“We know how important it is to get this project done, and how much of a blow it would be to the region and nation if it does not. All of us who are partners in the Gateway Development Commission will continue to work in lock-step with the Biden administration so that we deliver for millions of riders.”

Biden, who was scheduled to speak at a New York City railyard this afternoon, is bringing the first of what Gateway officials hope will be several big checks for the project.

The Gateway Project, estimated to cost $16 billion, will build two new rail tunnels and rehabilitate the existing 112-year-old tunnels connecting New Jersey to New York.