NEWARK, N.J. — Gov. Chris Christie, New Jersey’s two U.S. senators and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx vowed Tuesday to work together to obtain federal money for a $14 billion rail tunnel under the Hudson River — though New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision not to attend underscored the formidable challenges facing the project.
Christie, Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, and Foxx said in a joint statement that they had a “substantive and productive meeting” and “all of us are committed to working together on a path forward on this critical project.”
The meeting was notable for the absence of Cuomo, a major stakeholder in the proposed project to build a second tunnel, add track capacity and expand New York’s Penn Station. The difficulties in arranging a meeting highlight the political challenges facing the project, which experts say is vital to New York City’s transportation system and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.
Foxx wrote to Cuomo and Christie last month seeking a meeting after electrical problems in the existing 105-yearold tunnel caused repeated delays, further incensing commuters who already contend with regular backups on the nation’s busiest rail corridor.
“We all recognize that the only way forward is equitable distribution of funding responsibility and the active participation of all parties. As commuters can attest, we cannot afford further delay,” the officials said in the statement.