Amtrak's Gateway Program to replace a century-old rail tunnel and bridge from New Jersey to Manhattan, both bottlenecks on the busy Northeast Corridor, did not score well on an evaluation by the Federal Transit Administration for grant funding.

"In its annual funding recommendations report [pdf] issued this month to Congress on the Capital Investment Grants program, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) this week rated both the Hudson Tunnel and the Portal North Bridge replacement projects as 'medium-low' in priority for federal grants," according to a clipping by Progressive Railroading on Feb. 15. "Medium-low is second-lowest rating on a five-point scale that helps determine whether federal funding is warranted."
The projects are key elements of the Amtrak Gateway program. The FTA's latest ratings indicated the Trump administration's shift away from the Obama administration's support for federal help in paying for the projects, Gateway program supporters said.
"In case it wasn't clear before, President Trump today tried to land another death blow to Gateway, by having his Federal Transit Administration vindictively and inexplicably downgrade the project in order to cut off critical federal funding," said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) in a press release.
Under President Obama, the states of New York, New Jersey and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey came to an agreement: the states and the Port Authority would fund roughly half the $20 billion program, though costs vary depending on which projects are included. However, that agreement came into question when Trump administration officials signaled in December that they weren't happy with the financing aspects of the agreement.
The cost for the new tunnel under the Hudson River and rehabbing the existing one, which ultimately would provide four tracks between New York Penn Station and Secaucus, New Jersey, would cost $12.7 billion.
The Port Authority announced on Feb. 15 that it would contribute $44 million to "to keep the project moving," reported Dan Rivoli of the Daily News, "so that when federal funding materializes, there will be no delay in construction."
However, with the low rating from the FTA, and much competition, unlike the agreement reached under former Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, there are no assurances that those funds will be forthcoming soon.
"Under Trump's plan, however, Gateway will have to compete with other projects across the country for a limited amount of grant money intended to leverage state, local and private-sector investment," report Curtis Tate and Herb Jackson for NorthJersey.com on Feb. 13.
The first blow to replace the Hudson Tunnel occurred Oct. 7, 2010, when New Jersey's from Republican governor, Chris Christie, scrapped the project. The second blow was delivered by Hurricane Sandy two year later when it flooded the existing tunnel, causing extensive damage.
FULL STORY: FTA lowers grant ratings for Amtrak tunnel, bridge projects

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living
Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

Transforming Downtowns Into Functional Neighborhoods
Rather than ‘monofunctional’ business districts or urban playgrounds, American downtown districts could become multipurpose neighborhoods.

An Equity Approach to Lead Pipe Replacement
A former Chicago health commissioner calls on governments to prioritize the most marginalized and historically disinvested communities when distributing funding to replace lead pipes, which have taken the highest toll on the health of disadvantaged c

Supreme Court Limits Clean Water Act’s Power
A recent ruling ‘dramatically’ restricts the law’s reach when it comes to protecting wetlands.

Albany Freeway Ramp Reimagined as Park, Trail
An underused freeway exit ramp is now an inviting linear park that connects the city to the Hudson River.
City of Bellevue
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Code Studio
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Knox County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.