Abandoned ARC Tunnel May Become Amtrak Gateway

NJ's two U.S. Senators collaborated with Amtrak to propose an alternative to the Access to the Region's Core tunnel that N.J. Gov. Chris Christie canceled in Oct. 7. Unlike ARC, the Gateway tunnel will lead directly into Penn Station.

2 minute read

February 8, 2011, 7:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


"The 'Gateway' tunnel proposed by Amtrak would largely follow the same footprint as the canceled nine-mile Access to the Region's Core tunnel from Secaucus to New York City, but connect to new tracks in an expanded New York Penn Station instead of dead-ending deep under West 34th Street, representatives for U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez said tonight."

The main issue that led Christie to cancel ARC was his concern that NJ would be liable for all cost overruns, which had been predicted to be substantial by some. While ARC was a NJ Transit project, Gateway will be Amtrak's.

"Many hurdles will have to be overcome, including finding federal and local funding for a project that could cost upwards of $10 billion. But Amtrak officials say they believe the tunnel fits in well with President Obama's vision for infrastructure improvements in America and high-speed rail in the Northeast Corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C."

Amtrak Gateway may have to compete with NYC's #7 subway extension alternative to Secaucus.

From Hudson River Reporter: "Various groups officials praise plans for new NJ to NY rail tunnel":

"Thanks to Gov. Christie, we've had a $600 million hole-to-nowhere in my district that symbolized one of the worst decisions any governor has ever made. But Sens. Menendez and Lautenberg and Amtrak have put sound economic and transportation policy over sound bites. I laud their leadership and look forward to this plan moving forward", said Secaucus-based Assemblyman Vincent Prieto.

Thanks to E&E Publishing - Greenwire

Sunday, February 6, 2011 in The Star-Ledger (New Jersey)

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today