ARC Cancellation Leaves New Jersey-New York Rail Connections in Race Against Time

Dana Rubinstein writes that New Jersey Chris Christie may have to answer for more than just the Bridgegate scandal if he throws his hat into the ring in the 2016 presidential campaign.

2 minute read

October 6, 2014, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The second transportation bungle of Gov. Christie's administration, according to an article by Dana Rubenstein: "[his] unilateral cancellation of a new underwater rail tunnel connecting New Jersey to Midtown Manhattan, a project saddled with an ungainly name—Access to the Region’s Core" (ARC)—i.e., "a new tunnel under the Hudson River to connect the commuter-rich suburbs of northern New Jersey with job-rich midtown Manhattan."

The fully funded $8.7 billion project broke ground in 2009, but "in an early assertion of his intention to redefine the relationship between New Jersey and New York, argued that the project was too risky and cancelled it, and redirected much of its funding to road repairs within his own state." Back in 2012, the Government Accountability Office produced a report finding that Gov. Christie has "misstated" information used to support his decision.

The dubious political reasoning revealed for the project's cancellation now appears even more harmful, after Amtrak released a report last week finding that "salt left behind by Hurricane Sandy’s floodwaters continues to weaken the tunnels’ concrete and corrode its cast iron and steel" and have, at most, 20 years left. (Amtrak uses tunnels that would have been supplemented by the Access to the Region's Core project, allowing them to close some of their tunnels for repairs.)

Meanwhile ARC's replacement project, Gateway, still lacks funding and if all goes as well as ideally possible, the project would be done in the middle of next the decade.

Friday, October 3, 2014 in Capital New York

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

5 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

2 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

3 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

4 hours ago - Next City