Funding Cuts Loom Over $16 Billion Gateway Tunnel Project, Construction on Brink of Collapse
Construction on the highly-anticipated Gateway tunnel project, one of the most complex and ambitious infrastructure projects in decades, is facing an uncertain future. With federal funding set to expire next week if not reinstated, officials say that construction could grind to a halt, imperiling thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in taxpayer investment.
The $16 billion project, which aims to build new sets of train tunnels beneath the Hudson River, has been plagued by controversy since President Trump's administration paused federal funding for review. The move, made in October during last year's government shutdown, was intended to assess whether Gateway officials were complying with new rules surrounding contracts for women- and minority-owned businesses.
However, White House officials have now shifted blame to Democrats, claiming that immigration policies are the real issue at play. In a statement, White House spokesperson Kush Desai accused Schumer and other Democratic lawmakers of standing in the way of a deal by refusing to negotiate with the Trump administration.
The Gateway Development Commission, which oversees the project, is urging President Trump to intervene and restore funding. The commission warned that if construction stops, 1,000 workers would be immediately terminated, causing irreparable damage to the already complex tunnel system.
Critics are warning of the devastating consequences of inaction. "If we stop now, we'll have wasted $1 billion in taxpayer dollars, and residents will be left with a huge half-finished pit in their backyard," said Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
Even labor unions, which were once enthusiastic supporters of Trump's campaign, are now speaking out against the administration's actions. "I'm not happy about it, 'cause I'm employed there," said Richard Sirois, a Local 282 Teamsters member who helps run deliveries at the Gateway sites.
As tensions escalate, officials are racing against time to secure funding for the project before its final deadline. With tunneling expected under the riverbed soon, any further delays would be catastrophic. The fate of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment hangs precariously in the balance, as construction on the Gateway tunnel teeters on the brink of collapse.
Construction on the highly-anticipated Gateway tunnel project, one of the most complex and ambitious infrastructure projects in decades, is facing an uncertain future. With federal funding set to expire next week if not reinstated, officials say that construction could grind to a halt, imperiling thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in taxpayer investment.
The $16 billion project, which aims to build new sets of train tunnels beneath the Hudson River, has been plagued by controversy since President Trump's administration paused federal funding for review. The move, made in October during last year's government shutdown, was intended to assess whether Gateway officials were complying with new rules surrounding contracts for women- and minority-owned businesses.
However, White House officials have now shifted blame to Democrats, claiming that immigration policies are the real issue at play. In a statement, White House spokesperson Kush Desai accused Schumer and other Democratic lawmakers of standing in the way of a deal by refusing to negotiate with the Trump administration.
The Gateway Development Commission, which oversees the project, is urging President Trump to intervene and restore funding. The commission warned that if construction stops, 1,000 workers would be immediately terminated, causing irreparable damage to the already complex tunnel system.
Critics are warning of the devastating consequences of inaction. "If we stop now, we'll have wasted $1 billion in taxpayer dollars, and residents will be left with a huge half-finished pit in their backyard," said Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
Even labor unions, which were once enthusiastic supporters of Trump's campaign, are now speaking out against the administration's actions. "I'm not happy about it, 'cause I'm employed there," said Richard Sirois, a Local 282 Teamsters member who helps run deliveries at the Gateway sites.
As tensions escalate, officials are racing against time to secure funding for the project before its final deadline. With tunneling expected under the riverbed soon, any further delays would be catastrophic. The fate of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment hangs precariously in the balance, as construction on the Gateway tunnel teeters on the brink of collapse.
can't believe these folks are playing politics with infrastructure projects again 
. Like, come on, you gotta put aside the blame game and focus on getting this thing done 
. 1000+ jobs on the line? That's just awful 
. It's not like it's a partisan issue or anything 
. Can't we all just get along (and fund) the Gateway tunnel project already 
? The fact that labor unions are now speaking out against Trump is super surprising... didn't they used to be all about "draining the swamp"? 
This is a huge deal! I mean, think about it - 1,000 people losing their jobs just because some politicians can't agree on funding. It's like, what even is the point? We already know the project has been plagued with issues, but this is just ridiculous. And now they're blaming Democrats for everything? 
. i feel bad 4 the workers who dont get 2 keep ther jobs, theyve been workin hard on this project 4 yrs now...anywayz, lets just hopin sumthn good happens soon, or else its gonna b a disaster 
we need infrastructure not politics! 
. I get that politicians can't agree, but $1 billion down the drain? 
that's just crazy talk. They should figure out a way to make it work, thousands of people depend on those jobs 
. This is a disaster waiting to happen... what if the tunnel collapses or something? 
1000 workers on the brink of losing their jobs? No way, can't let that happen! 
[Video of a cat playing the piano, then suddenly stopping and looking worried] When will they fix this? 
... let's hope someone steps in and saves the day 
. It's not just about the money, it's about the people who are gonna be affected by this 
.
this project needs funding ASAP or we'll be seeing a huge mess in nj