Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan to include Gateway Tunnel crucial to N.J., source says

Senator says its time to get Gateway Tunnel moving

The inside of one of the 110-year old Hudson River rail tunnels is seen from an Amtrak inspection train.

Funding for the long-sought Gateway Tunnel to carry Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains under the Hudson River will be part of President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal, NJ Advance Media has learned.

The plan includes fully funding a backlog of major projects along the Northeast Corridor, including Gateway, according to an administration official. The proposal includes $80 billion for Amtrak and federal railroad grant and loan programs, according to an administration fact sheet.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity in advance of Biden’s scheduled speech Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where he will announce a massive eight-year program to build and repair roads and bridges, improve public transportation, expand broadband, and install a nationwide network of charging stations to encourage a shift to electric cars from gas-powered vehicles.

New Jersey and New York officials have long sought federal help to build the new tunnel so the existing tubes can be closed to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

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Biden’s second massive spending plan, which another administration official said would create millions of new jobs, would follow his $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus law that included $1,400 direct payments to most Americans.

The twin programs are designed to boost the U.S. economy as the country slowly reopens after the coronavirus pandemic shut down businesses and workplaces and forced Americans to isolate indoors.

The latest proposal will include $115 billion for roads and bridges, including efforts to reduce congestion; $85 billion for public transit; $174 billion for electric vehicles; $25 billion for airports; and $300 billion to expand manufacturing.

In addition, $50 billion will be spent to make infrastructure more resilient to climate change, including projects in disadvantaged communities; $100 billion on high-speed internet; $213 billion on affordable housing; and $45 billion to replace all lead water pipes. Several cities in New Jersey, most notably Newark, found high levels of lead in their drinking water.

There’s also $5 billion for brownfield and Superfund sites. New Jersey has more Superfund sites than any other state.

Biden plans to pay for his program by rolling back some of the corporate tax cuts enacted by President Donald Trump in his 2017 law, including raising the tax rate to 28% from 21% .


While former President Donald Trump opposed Gateway, even threatening to shut down the federal government at one point rather provide federal support, Biden endorsed the project during his successful presidential campaign and has indicated since taking office that his administration would help fund it.

Just last week, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told the House Transportation Committee that the administration was moving ahead on approving the project, starting with completing a required environmental impact statement that was due three years ago.

And the Federal Transit Administration in February, reversing a Trump administration ruling, said states could use U.S. government loans that they have to repay to cover the local share of a project involving federally funds.

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Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him at @JDSalant.

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