WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey warned Tuesday of serious economic and commuter impacts if the Gateway Train Tunnel project is shut down, saying partisan gridlock must not derail the nationally significant infrastructure effort.
In a statement released Feb. 3, Gottheimer, a Democrat who represents New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District, emphasized the importance of resolving a funding stalemate to keep the project moving forward.
“The Gateway Train Tunnel is the most consequential infrastructure project right now in our country. I’ll do everything I can to work constructively with Republicans and the White House to solve this stalemate and get the Gateway Project moving. We also need to preserve all our options, including a legal strategy,” Gottheimer said.
He said the project, which has involved years of planning, bipartisan cooperation and construction progress, should not be jeopardized by political disputes.
“We cannot let partisan politics get in the way of years of planning, bipartisan commitment, and construction progress,” Gottheimer said. “The stakes are too high, and the consequences to our economy, to commuters, and to businesses are too severe.”
The Gateway project includes construction of a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure that serves hundreds of thousands of daily commuters between New Jersey and New York.
