Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today celebrated the start of construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project, a cornerstone infrastructure initiative essential to the future of New Jersey and the entire tri-state region. Congressman Pascrell has for many years fought to secure funding for this project amid countless delays from Republican administrations on the state and federal levels.

"Today, at long last, we commence work on the new Hudson Tunnel," said Congressman Pascrell. "In Congress our state delegation has worked every day for years to secure the funding to reach this moment. Efficient mass transit is so critical to the quality of life in our great state. All of us know the completion of a new tunnel is essential to the future of New Jersey and our entire region. That bright future starts today."

"As we break ground on this side of the Hudson alongside our partners from Washington and New York, we edge one step closer to making our bold vision for the Gateway Project a reality," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. "Since the outset of my Administration, we’ve worked tirelessly to deliver the world-class transportation system New Jerseyans urgently need and deserve. By undertaking the most important infrastructure project in the nation, we will generate good-paying jobs, support our growing economy, and promote safer more efficient transportation for residents and visitors alike."

"Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we’re making a historic investment in New York and New Jersey infrastructure," said U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Polly Trottenberg. "The Hudson Tunnel Project will have a profound impact, improving connectivity and relieving a bottleneck in the busiest region of the country, all while creating jobs and strengthening the local economy. I’m excited for construction to be underway in New Jersey on this much-needed project."

Federal Railroad Administration Deputy Administrator Jennifer Mitchell said, "The Hudson Tunnel Project is vital to the region’s future and I commend the Gateway Development Commission and New Jersey Transit on the start of work. Under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are advancing it and other projects of national significance to deliver a safer, more efficient and reliable Northeast Corridor."

"This groundbreaking marks an important milestone for the Gateway Program. While our Portal North Bridge Replacement Project is 30% complete and proceeding at an incredible pace, the Hudson Tunnel Project is the most critical infrastructure project in the country given our region’s role as the center of global commerce," said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. "We are truly grateful for the federal government’s historic and unprecedented investment in our metropolitan area’s public transit infrastructure."

The Hudson Tunnel Project represents a monumental step towards addressing the aging infrastructure challenges and enhancing the transportation capacity of the Northeast Corridor. The project encompasses the construction of a new, state-of-the-art tunnel beneath the Hudson River, as well as the rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel. As a foremost advocate for the Hudson Tunnel’s completion, Congressman Pascrell joined his Democratic colleagues to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which represented the largest investment in public transit in American history and provided substantial funding for the Hudson Tunnel and the larger Gateway Project. Congressman Pascrell also welcomed President Biden to Kearny, New Jersey in 2021 as the administration announced its commitment to fund the Portal North Bridge over the Hackensack River, a key piece of the program which received a federal investment of over $1 billion.