:Gateway Program (Northeast Corridor)

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The Gateway Project, as it was originally known, was unveiled on February 7, 2011, by Amtrak President Joseph H. Boardman and New Jersey Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez.{{Cite news |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/020811_Amtrak_president_details_Gateway_Project_at_Rutgers_lecture.html |title=Amtrak president details Gateway Project at Rutgers lecture |last=Rouse |first=Karen |date=February 8, 2011 |work=Bergen Record |access-date=February 9, 2011}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/nj_senators_to_announce_new_co.html |title=N.J. senators, Amtrak official to announce new commuter train tunnel project across the Hudson |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=February 6, 2011 |work=The Star-Ledger |access-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20110207232224/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/nj_senators_to_announce_new_co.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.lautenberg.senate.gov/assets/Gateway.pdf |title=Gateway Project |date=February 2011 |publisher=Amtrak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517075834/http://www.lautenberg.senate.gov/assets/Gateway.pdf |archive-date=May 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 7, 2011}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/nyregion/08tunnel.html |title=With One Plan for a Hudson Tunnel Dead, Senators Offer Another Option |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=February 7, 2011 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 9, 2011 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143035/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/nyregion/08tunnel.html |url-status=live }} The announcement also included endorsements from New York Senator Charles Schumer and Amtrak's Board of Directors. Officials said Amtrak would take the lead in seeking financing; a list of potential sources included the states of New York and New Jersey, the City of New York, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), as well as private investors.{{Cite press release |title=Lautenberg, Menendez Join Amtrak to Announce New Trans-Hudson Gateway Tunnel Project |date=February 7, 2011 |publisher=Lautenberg/US Senate press release |url=http://lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=330933 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721062423/http://lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=330933 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/gov_christie_approves_of_new_g.html |title=Gov. Christie says new Gateway tunnel plan addresses his ARC project cost concerns |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=February 8, 2011 |work=The Star-Ledger |access-date=February 9, 2011 |archive-date=February 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210025815/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/gov_christie_approves_of_new_g.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/07/AR2011020703557.html |title=Amtrak Proposes $13.5 Billion New Jersey Rail Project |last=Caruso |first=Lisa |date=February 7, 2011 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628230417/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/07/AR2011020703557.html |url-status=live }}

By late 2011, two parts of the project were underway: the replacement of the Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River, and the development of Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan. Environmental impact statements had been completed and the design and engineering of the new bridges had begun.{{Cite web |url=http://www.portalbridgenec.com |title=Portal Bridge Capacity Enhancement |publisher=Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, U.S Department of Transportation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208112822/http://portalbridgenec.com/ |archive-date=February 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 8, 2011 }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/nyregion/01bridge.html |title=Approval Given for New Jersey Rail Bridges |last=Belsen |first=Ken |date=December 31, 2008 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 8, 2011 |archive-date=April 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410054102/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/01/nyregion/01bridge.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/nj_transit_board_announces_385.html |title=NJ Transit announces $38.5M for Portal Bridge project, names executive director |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=January 28, 2010 |work=The Star-Ledger |access-date=February 8, 2011 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605001153/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/nj_transit_board_announces_385.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2010/02/08/advocates-want-bikeped-path-as-part-of-portal-bridge-project/ |title=Advocates Want Bike/Ped Path as Part of Portal Bridge Project |last=Whiten |first=Jon |date=February 8, 2010 |publisher=Jersey City Independent |access-date=February 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711102814/http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/2010/02/08/advocates-want-bikeped-path-as-part-of-portal-bridge-project/ |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/10/tiger-grant-provides-final-piece-of-the-puzzle-for-moynihan-station.html |title=TIGER grant provides final piece of the Moynihan Station funding puzzle |date=October 19, 2010 |publisher=United States Department of Transportation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124041110/http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/10/tiger-grant-provides-final-piece-of-the-puzzle-for-moynihan-station.html |archive-date=November 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 9, 2011 }} The ceremonial groundbreaking of the first phase of the conversion of the James Farley Post Office to the new Moynihan Train Hall took place in October 2010.{{Cite news |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/a-ceremonial-start-for-moynihan-station/?scp=1&sq=Moynihan%20Station&st=cse |title=A Ceremonial Start for Moynihan Station |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=October 18, 2010 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 9, 2011 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714220451/http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/a-ceremonial-start-for-moynihan-station/?scp=1&sq=Moynihan%20Station&st=cse |url-status=live }} Some funding for the projects comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.{{Cite web |url=http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/ARRAPortalBridgeCertification.pdf |title=The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act |publisher=Njtransit.com |access-date=May 7, 2015 |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206093043/http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/ARRAPortalBridgeCertification.pdf |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=https://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/documents/2013-06-07-mcdonald.pdf |title=Written Testimony of Joan McDonald |date=June 7, 2013 |access-date=December 11, 2013 |archive-date=September 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919072251/http://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/documents/2013-06-07-mcdonald.pdf |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.dot.ny.gov/recovery/sponsors/tiger |title=Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) |date=February 6, 2015 |website=NY DOT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206114929/https://www.dot.ny.gov/recovery/sponsors/tiger |archive-date=February 6, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=October 26, 2017}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/work-on-new-hudson-train-tunnels-chugs-along-1422240370 |title=Work on New Hudson Train Tunnels Chugs Along |last=Tangel |first=Andrew |date=February 1, 2015 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=February 4, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143039/https://www.wsj.com/articles/work-on-new-hudson-train-tunnels-chugs-along-1422240370 |url-status=live }}

File:NY Tunnel Extension & Connections PRR 1912.jpg

The right-of-way was originally developed by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR){{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40716FD345D12738DDDAD0994D1405B828CF1D3&scp=10&sq=Point%20No%20Point%20Pennsylvania%20Railroad&st=cse |title=The Pennsylvania's Great Hudson River Tunnel |last=Prout |first=H.G. |date=September 14, 1902 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 16, 2011}} in conjunction with the 1910 opening of New York's Pennsylvania Station, which required the construction of the Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River, as well as the North River Tunnels under the Hudson Palisades and Hudson River.{{rp|37, 39}} The following year the Manhattan Transfer station was opened in the Kearny Meadows to allow changes between steam and electric locomotives. This station also provided for passenger transfers to/from its former main terminal at Exchange Place in Jersey City or the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad (H&M), the forerunner of today's Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH).{{Cite Cudahy-Hudson|mode=cs1}}{{rp|41–42}} The Dock Bridge over the Passaic River was opened in conjunction with the adjacent Newark Penn Station in 1935.{{Cite news |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0A13F9345C157A93C6A8178ED85F458385F9&scp=3&sq=newark+railroad&st=p |title=Newark Adopts Plans for New Rail Station; How Newark Railroad Station Will Look |date=May 14, 1931 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106071256/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0A13F9345C157A93C6A8178ED85F458385F9&scp=3&sq=newark+railroad&st=p |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/24/archives/newark-dedicates-its-new-terminal-railroad-station-centre-link-in.html%26scp%3D7%26sq%3Dnewark+railroad%26st%3Dp |title=Newark Dedicates its New Terminal; Railroad Station, Centre Link in $42,000,000 Project, Is Opened to the Public |date=March 24, 1935 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-date=July 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723070001/https://www.nytimes.com/1935/03/24/archives/newark-dedicates-its-new-terminal-railroad-station-centre-link-in.html%26scp%3D7%26sq%3Dnewark+railroad%26st%3Dp |url-status=live }} In 1937, the H&M was extended over a second span, making the transfer in the meadows redundant.{{Cite news |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0B14FB3A541B728DDDA90A94DE405B878FF1D3 |title=New Station Open for Hudson Tubes |date=June 20, 1937 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 18, 2011 |page=1 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143036/https://www.nytimes.com/1937/06/20/archives/new-station-open-for-hudson-tubes-newark-terminal-is-shifted-from.html |url-status=live }}

In 1949, the PRR discontinued its ferry system on the Hudson, and in 1961, it closed its Exchange Place station.{{Cite web |url=http://www.njcu.edu/programs/jchistory/Pages/E_Pages/Exchange_Place.htm |title=Exchange Place |last1=Karnoutsos |first1=Carmela |last2=Shalhoub |first2=Patrick |year=2007 |website=Jersey City Past and Present |publisher=New Jersey City University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040814221758/http://www.njcu.edu/programs/jchistory/Pages/E_Pages/Exchange_Place.htm |archive-date=August 14, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 16, 2011 }} In 1963, due to declining traffic and revenue, the PRR demolished the above-ground New York Penn Station. It retained its below-ground passenger concourses and waiting areas, and sold its air rights, enabling construction of a new Madison Square Garden.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GON/GON004.htm |title=Penn Station |website=New York Architecture Images – gone |publisher=nyc-architecture.com |access-date=February 18, 2011 |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604182354/http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GON/GON004.htm |url-status=live }} In 1967, the Aldene Plan was implemented, requiring the floundering Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ), Reading (RDG), and Lehigh Valley (LV) railroads, to travel into Newark Penn while continuing service to New York Penn.{{rp|61}}{{Cite book |url=http://www.arcadiapublsihing.com |title=Images of America: Railroads of Hoboken and Jersey City |last=French |first=Kenneth |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7385-0966-2 |location=USA |page=30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801054035/http://arcadiapublsihing.com/ |archive-date=August 1, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Under continued financial pressure, the PRR merged with New York Central (NYC) in 1968, but the newly-formed Penn Central (PC) declared bankruptcy on June 21, 1970. In 1976, the PC long-distance service (including part of today's Northeast Corridor and Empire Corridor) was assumed by Amtrak, which had been founded in 1971.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=4571&type=0&sequence=3 |title=A Brief History of Amtrak |last=Pinkston |first=Elizabeth |date=2003 |website=U.S. Congressional Budget Office}} Conrail was created in 1976 to consolidate numerous Northeast private railroads, including commuter service on the CNJ and the LV.{{Cite web |url=http://www.conrail.com/history.htm |title=A Brief History of Conrail |year=2003 |publisher=Consolidated Rail Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121075513/http://conrail.com/history.htm |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 16, 2011 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.american-rails.com/conrail.html |title=Conrail, The Consolidated Rail Corporation |publisher=American-Rails.com |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=March 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317225220/http://www.american-rails.com/conrail.html |url-status=live }} Conrail divested itself from passenger operations in 1983, and NJT assumed control.{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9806E1DC1539F933A25751C0A960958260&scp=4&sq=Crash%20on%20New%20Jersey%20Tranist&st=cse |title=Crash on New Jersey Transit;Agency Had Enviable Safety Record |last=Pulley |first=Brett |date=February 10, 1996 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143035/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/10/nyregion/crash-on-new-jersey-transit-the-railroad-agency-had-enviable-safety-record.html?scp=4&sq=Crash+on+New+Jersey+Tranist&st=cse |url-status=live }}

In 1991, NJT opened the Waterfront Connection, extending service on several non-electrified trains which had previously terminated at Newark Penn Station to Hoboken.{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE0D81731F933A2575AC0A967958260&scp=2&sq=Waterfront%20Connection%20New%20Jersey%20Transit&st=cse |title=Hoboken-Newark Rail Link Opens as Part of Multimillion-Dollar Expansion |last=Hanley |first=Robert |date=September 10, 1991 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 20, 2011 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143538/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/10/nyregion/hoboken-newark-rail-link-opens-as-part-of-multimillion-dollar-expansion.html?scp=2&sq=Waterfront+Connection+New+Jersey+Transit&st=cse |url-status=live }} In 1996, NJT inaugurated Midtown Direct service, rerouting some trains from the west which previously terminated at Hoboken Terminal to New York Penn.{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9806E5D6163FF93BA35751C1A960958260&sec=&spon=&&scp=5&sq=Kearny%20connection&st=cse |title=All Aboard for New York, if There's Parking Near the Train |last=Chen |first=David W. |date=December 8, 1996 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143538/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/08/nyregion/all-aboard-for-new-york-if-there-s-parking-near-the-train.html?sec=&spon=&&scp=5&sq=Kearny+connection&st=cse |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE5D7173AF932A35756C0A967958260&scp=1&sq=Kearny%20connection&st=cse |title=New Jersey to Add Trains to Midtown |last=Hanley |first=Robert |date=May 1, 1991 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143536/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/01/nyregion/new-jersey-to-add-trains-to-midtown.html?scp=1&sq=Kearny+connection&st=cse |url-status=live }} Secaucus Junction was opened in 2003, allowing passengers travelling from the north to transfer to Northeast Corridor Line, North Jersey Coast Line, or Midtown Direct trains, though not to Amtrak, which made no stops there. Between 1976 and 2010, the number of NJT weekday trains crossing the Hudson using the North River Tunnels (under contract with Amtrak{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/30/nyregion/new-jersey-s-amtrak-blues.html?scp=1&sq=New%20Jersey%27s%20Amtrak%20Blues&st=cse |title=New Jersey's Amtrak Blues |last=Sullivan |first=John |date=June 2, 2002 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201141103/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/30/nyregion/new-jersey-s-amtrak-blues.html?scp=1&sq=New%20Jersey%27s%20Amtrak%20Blues&st=cse |url-status=live }}) increased from 147 to 438.

The Northeast Corridor is the most heavily traveled railway in the United States, and is the only rail line that travels under the Hudson River and through New York City.[https://nec.amtrak.com/news/gateway-program-development-corporation-releases-request-for-information-for-hudson-tunnel-project/ Request for Information for Hudson Tunnel Project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602194850/https://nec.amtrak.com/news/gateway-program-development-corporation-releases-request-for-information-for-hudson-tunnel-project/ |date=June 2, 2019 }}. Amtrak Northeast Corridor. August 10, 2017. Accessed February 10, 2019. The other rail system crossing the Hudson was developed by the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad, partially in conjunction with the PRR,{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/09/04/105089674.pdf |title=By Way of Jersey |date=September 4, 1910 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-date=July 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708003721/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/09/04/105089674.pdf |url-status=live }} and taken over by PANYNJ in 1962, who rebranded the H&M as the PATH, a rapid transit system.{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1962/01/23/102744546.pdf |title=2 States Agree on Hudson Tubes and Trade Center; New York and Jersey Settle on Bill to Permit Port Authority Operation |last=Wright |first=George Cable |date=January 23, 1962 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=May 1, 2017}} Direct trans-Hudson rail service to Lower Manhattan from Newark Penn is provided by PATH with additional terminals at World Trade Center and Herald Square in Manhattan, and at Hoboken Terminal and Journal Square in Hudson County, New Jersey.{{Cite web |url=http://www.panynj.gov/path/maps.html |title=PATH map |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |access-date=March 7, 2011 |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121050235/http://www.panynj.gov/path/maps.html |url-status=dead}} In 1971 New Jersey Governor William T. Cahill proposed constructing another rail tunnel from Weehawken, New Jersey, to 48th Street in Midtown Manhattan.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/02/05/archives/cahill-asks-new-rail-tunnel-to-manhattan.html |title=Cahill Asks New Rail Tunnel to Manhattan |last=Sullivan |first=Ronald |date=February 5, 1971 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=April 9, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=April 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410002222/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/02/05/archives/cahill-asks-new-rail-tunnel-to-manhattan.html |url-status=live }}

There are three vehicular crossings of the lower Hudson River.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/opinion/nyregionopinions/CIcongest.html?scp=40&sq=Amtrak+new+jersey&st=nyt |title=Time to Move on Hudson Tunnel |last=Editorial |date=November 17, 2007 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-date=April 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409233742/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/opinion/nyregionopinions/CIcongest.html?scp=40&sq=Amtrak+new+jersey&st=nyt |url-status=live }} The Holland Tunnel, opened in 1927, is minimally used for public transportation and connects Jersey City, New Jersey, to lower Manhattan. The George Washington Bridge, opened in 1931, is used by suburban buses to GWB Bus Terminal, and connects Fort Lee, New Jersey, to upper Manhattan. Its lower level, opened in 1962, is the last new river crossing.{{Cite web |url=http://policy.rutgers.edu/vtc/tod/newsletter/vol5-num1/ARC.html |title=Transit Friendly Development |date=May 2009 |publisher=Voorhees Transportation Center/Rutgers University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720041254/http://policy.rutgers.edu/vtc/tod/newsletter/vol5-num1/ARC.html |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 7, 2011 }} The Lincoln Tunnel, composed of three tubes opened in 1937, 1945, and 1954, connects Weehawken, New Jersey, to Midtown Manhattan.{{Cite web |url=http://media.nj.com/ledgerupdates_impact/photo/hudson-river-tunnel-historyjpg-41ba3e9d7448b3e1.jpg |title=History Across the Hudson |last=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714184902/http://media.nj.com/ledgerupdates_impact/photo/hudson-river-tunnel-historyjpg-41ba3e9d7448b3e1.jpg |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 15, 2011 |newspaper=The Star Ledger }} More than 6,000 bus trips are made through the tunnel and bus terminal daily.{{Cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/135160048_Lawmakers_urge_PA_to_reduce_bus_delays.html |title=Lawmakers urge PA to reduce bus delays |last=Boburg |first=Shawn |date=December 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115200753/http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/135160048_Lawmakers_urge_PA_to_reduce_bus_delays.html |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 14, 2011 |newspaper=The Record }} Its eastern terminus is connected via ramps to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the gateway for most NJT bus traffic entering Manhattan.{{Cite web |url=http://www.panynj.gov/bus-terminals/pabt-history.html |title=Port Authority Bus Terminal History |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |access-date=March 7, 2011 |archive-date=June 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603091437/http://www.panynj.gov/bus-terminals/pabt-history.html |url-status=live }} Despite the Lincoln Tunnel XBL (express bus lane) during the morning peak there are often long delays due to traffic congestion and the limited capacity of the bus terminal.{{Cite web |url=http://www.tstc.org/press/2009/051409_bus_report.html |title=New Report and Website Offer Speedier Bus Commute Across the Hudson River Report calls for Port Authority to prioritize bus trips for 100 million annual passengers |date=May 14, 2009 |publisher=Tri-state Transportation Campaign |access-date=April 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114044853/http://tstc.org/press/2009/051409_bus_report.html |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://blog.tstc.org/2011/04/28/nj-transportation-funding-plan-would-shortchange-bus-riders/ |title=NJ Transportation Funding Plan Would Shortchange Bus Riders |last=Chernetz |first=Janna |date=April 28, 2011 |publisher=Mobilizing the Region |access-date=April 29, 2011 |archive-date=September 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913164658/http://blog.tstc.org/2011/04/28/nj-transportation-funding-plan-would-shortchange-bus-riders/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703916004576271150274132500 |title=Bus Terminal Hits Limit |last=Grossman |first=Andrew |date=April 19, 2011 |access-date=April 29, 2011 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=June 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611090020/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703916004576271150274132500 |url-status=live }}

File:NJT owned factory-grounds at western portal of ARC-Gateway tunnel-Tonnelle Ave-North Bergen.jpgLaunched in 1995 by PANYNJ, NJT, and MTA, Access to the Region's Core (ARC) was a Major Investment Study that looked at public transportation ideas for the New York metropolitan area. It found that long-term goals would best be met by better connections to and in-between the region's major rail stations in Midtown Manhattan, Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal.{{Cite web |url=http://www.arctunnel.com/pdf/library/ARC_MIS_Summary_Report.pdf |title=Access to the Region's Core Major Investment Study Summary Report 2003 |year=2003 |publisher=arctunnel.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429194828/http://arctunnel.com/pdf/library/ARC_MIS_Summary_Report.pdf |archive-date=April 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 6, 2011 }} The East Side Access project, including tunnels under the East River and the East Side of Manhattan, was completed in early 2023; some LIRR traffic has been diverted to Grand Central, freeing up track slots at Penn Station.{{Cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/151214_0930_LIRR.pdf#page=17 |title=Long Island Committee Meeting December 2015 |date=December 14, 2015 |website=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225054749/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/151214_0930_LIRR.pdf#page=17 |archive-date=February 25, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=February 17, 2016 }}{{cite web | title=LIRR full service begins Monday, 2/27, at Grand Central Madison; train schedules to change | website=ABC7 New York | date=February 27, 2023 | url=https://abc7ny.com/lirr-train-schedule-grand-central-madison-opens/12887154/ | access-date=February 27, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Castillo | first=Alfonso A. | title=East Side Access completed, LIRR riders get full service to Grand Central Madison Monday | website=Newsday | date=February 26, 2023 | url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/grand-central-madison-east-side-access-lirr-gpwsijw3 | access-date=February 27, 2023}}

The Trans-Hudson Express Tunnel or THE Tunnel, which later took on the name of the study itself, was meant to address the western, or Hudson River, crossing. Engineering studies determined that structural interferences made a new terminal connected to Grand Central or the current Penn Station unfeasible and its final design involved boring under the current rail yard to a new deep cavern terminal station under 34th Street.New Jersey Transit (October 2008). Newark, NJ. [http://www.arctunnel.com/pdf/library/0_5_executive_summary_feis.pdf "Access to the Region's Core: Final Environmental Impact Study."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807203256/http://www.arctunnel.com/pdf/library/0_5_executive_summary_feis.pdf |date=August 7, 2011 }} Executive Summary.{{Cite web |url=http://newurbannetwork.com/news-opinion/blogs/ian-rassmussen/13726/when-environmental-impact-statement-takes-lifetime |title=When an Environmental Impact Statement takes a lifetime |last=Rassmussen |first=Ian |date=December 15, 2010 |publisher=New Urban News |access-date=March 7, 2012 |quote=The story of ARC began in 1995 with the start of a "Major Investment Study" that reviewed 137 alternative transportation improvements that would get commuters from central and northern New Jersey out of their cars, and into Manhattan faster, cheaper, and with less harm to the environment. After four years of study, the list was narrowed down to a few finalists in 1999. From 1999 to 2003, the feasibility of each of those plans (exactly where the tracks would be laid, and how they would connect to Penn Station) was studied, and the ultimate plan ironed out. From 2003 to 2009, the final plan — two new rail tunnels leading to a new lower level of Penn Station — was the subject of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714175322/http://newurbannetwork.com/news-opinion/blogs/ian-rassmussen/13726/when-environmental-impact-statement-takes-lifetime |url-status=live }} While Amtrak had acknowledged that the region represented a bottleneck in the national system and had originally planned to complete work by 2040,{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/similar_hudson_river_tunnel_pr.html |title=Hudson River tunnel project proposed by Amtrak, NJ Transit would take decades to complete |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=November 8, 2010 |work=The Star Ledger |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-date=January 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119183229/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/similar_hudson_river_tunnel_pr.html |url-status=live }} its timetable for beginning the project was advanced in part due to the cancellation of ARC, a project similar in scope, but with differences in design.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704422204576130673174593178 |title=Amtrak's Plan For New Tunnel Gains Support |last1=Fleisher |first1=Liza |last2=Grossman |first2=Andrew |date=February 8, 2011 |access-date=February 8, 2011 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712035617/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704422204576130673174593178 |url-status=live }} That project, which did not include direct Amtrak participation,{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/amtrak_nj_transit_break_off_ta.html |title=Amtrak, NJ Transit break off talks on reviving ARC Hudson River rail tunnel |date=November 12, 2010 |access-date=March 7, 2011 |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |archive-date=December 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219160318/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/amtrak_nj_transit_break_off_ta.html |url-status=live }} was cancelled in October 2010 by New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who cited potential cost overruns.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/nyregion/08tunnel.html |title=Christie Halts Train Tunnel, Citing Its Cost |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=October 7, 2010 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 8, 2010 |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903010718/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/08/nyregion/08tunnel.html |url-status=live }} Amtrak briefly engaged the governor in attempt to revive the ARC Tunnel and use preliminary work done for it, but those negotiations soon broke down. Amtrak said it was not interested in purchasing any of the work.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-5%2F1289633139318930.xml&coll=3 |title=Amtrak: no interest in Hudson tunnel |date=November 13, 2010 |access-date=March 13, 2011 |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629212559/http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-5%2F1289633139318930.xml&coll=3 |url-status=dead }} Senator Menendez later said some preparatory work done for ARC may be used for the new project.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110207/NJNEWS10/110207021/1254/NJSPORTS |title=Amtrak plans new tunnel under Hudson River |last=Higgs |first=Larry |date=February 8, 2011 |publisher=mycentraljersey.com |access-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714150831/http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110207/NJNEWS10/110207021/1254/NJSPORTS |url-status=live }} Costs for the project were $117 million for preliminary engineering, $126 million for final design, $15 million for construction and $178 million real estate property rights ($28 million in New Jersey and $150 million in New York City). Additionally, a $161 million partially refundable pre-payment of insurance premiums was also made.{{Cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/recap/117040328_State_wants_refund_for__161_9M_tunnel_insurance.html |title=State wants refund for $161.9M tunnel insurance |last=Pillets |first=Jeff |date=February 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926134017/http://www.northjersey.com/recap/117040328_State_wants_refund_for__161_9M_tunnel_insurance.html |archive-date=September 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 14, 2011 |newspaper=The Record }}

In 2011, the project was projected to cost $13.5 billion and finish in 2020. In April 2011, Amtrak asked that $1.3 billion in United States Department of Transportation funding for NEC rail corridor improvements be allocated to Gateway and related projects.{{Cite web |url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServer?blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1249224538367&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobhead |title=Amtrak Seeks $1.3 billion for Gateway Project and Next-Generation High-Speed Rail on NEC |date=April 4, 2011 |publisher=Amtrak |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503205942/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServer?blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1249224538367&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobhead |archive-date=May 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 8, 2011 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/040411_Amtrak_seeking_13B_for_Hudson_River_tunnel_planning_bridge_replacement.html |title=Amtrak seeking $1.3B for Hudson River tunnel planning, bridge replacement |last=Jackson |first=Herb |date=April 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516141417/http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/040411_Amtrak_seeking_13B_for_Hudson_River_tunnel_planning_bridge_replacement.html |archive-date=May 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 10, 2011 |newspaper=The Record}}

In November, Congress allocated $15 million for initial engineering work.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/engineering_work_to_begin_on_g.html |title=Engineering work to begin on Gateway train tunnel under Hudson River, Congress approves $15M for project |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=November 18, 2011 |work=The Star-Ledger |access-date=November 22, 2011 |archive-date=November 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120173831/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/engineering_work_to_begin_on_g.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/The_Source_blog_Senate_clears_15M_for_Amtrak_Gateway_tunnel_planning.html |title=Senate OKs $15M in design funds for NJ-NY tunnel |last=Boburg |first=Shawn |date=November 2, 2011 |work=The Record |access-date=November 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014428/http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/The_Source_blog_Senate_clears_15M_for_Amtrak_Gateway_tunnel_planning.html |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news |url=http://njtoday.net/2011/11/02/u-s-senate-approves-funding-for-nj-ny-rail-tunnel-design// |title=U.S. Senate Approves Funding For NJ-NY Rail Tunnel Design |date=November 2, 2011 |access-date=November 2, 2011 |publisher=NJToday.com |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609133030/http://njtoday.net/2011/11/02/u-s-senate-approves-funding-for-nj-ny-rail-tunnel-design/ |url-status=dead}}

In 2012, revised projections put the cost at $14.5 billion and completion date at 2025.{{Cite web |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/04/20/senate-committee-oks-20-million-for-gateway-tunnel-project/ |title=Senate Committee OKs $20 Million For Gateway Tunnel Project |date=April 4, 2012 |publisher=CBS |access-date=July 20, 2012 |archive-date=July 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720013728/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/04/20/senate-committee-oks-20-million-for-gateway-tunnel-project/ |url-status=live }} In April 2012, the a U.S. Senate subcommittee proposed another $20 million.{{Cite press release |title=Lautenberg, Menendez Announce $20 Million For Gateway Tunnel Project Approved In Senate Committee |date=April 19, 2012 |publisher=Senate.gov |url=http://lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=336577 |access-date=July 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509093326/http://lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=336577 |archive-date=May 9, 2012 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/18302813/article--Senate-Appropriations-Committee-approves--20-million-for-Gateway-Tunnel-?instance=home_Most_popular |title=Senate Appropriations Committee approves $20 million for Gateway Tunnel |date=April 20, 2012 |access-date=July 23, 2012 |newspaper=Hudson Reporter |archive-date=May 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505023808/http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/18302813/article--Senate-Appropriations-Committee-approves--20-million-for-Gateway-Tunnel-?instance=home_Most_popular |url-status=dead}} In September 2012, Schumer estimated that the project would need $20 million in 2013 and $100 million in 2014 to keep it from dying.{{Cite web |url=http://transportationnation.org/2012/09/28/schumer-fast-action-needed-for-new-amtrak-tunnel/ |title=Sen. Schumer: Fast Action Needed for New Amtrak Tunnel |last=Marritz |first=Ilya |date=September 28, 2012 |publisher=Transportation Nation |access-date=October 3, 2012 |archive-date=October 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001025902/http://transportationnation.org/2012/09/28/schumer-fast-action-needed-for-new-amtrak-tunnel/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2012, Amtrak requested $276 million from Congress to upgrade infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Sandy that would also eventually support trains run along the new Gateway Project right-of-way.{{Cite news |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/Amtrak_asks_Congress_for_emergency_funding_for_flood_protection.html |title=Amtrak asks Congress for emergency funding for flood protection |last=Rouse |first=Karen |date=December 6, 2012 |work=The Record |access-date=November 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213223146/http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/Amtrak_asks_Congress_for_emergency_funding_for_flood_protection.html |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.marketplace.org/topics/life/transportation-nation/amtrak-asks-subsidies-wake-hurricane-sandy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525072415/http://www.marketplace.org/topics/life/transportation-nation/amtrak-asks-subsidies-wake-hurricane-sandy |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |title=Amtrak asks for subsidies in wake of Hurricane Sandy |last=Goldmark |first=Alex |date=December 13, 2012 |publisher=Transportation Nation |access-date=December 15, 2012}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/1019/981/Amtrak-CEO-Boardman-Senate-Commerce-testimony-Dec-06-2012.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218180811/http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/1019/981/Amtrak-CEO-Boardman-Senate-Commerce-testimony-Dec-06-2012.pdf |archive-date=December 18, 2013 |title=Testimony of Joseph H. Boardman... Hearing "Superstorm Sandy: the Devastating Impact on the Nation's Largest Transportation Systems" |date=December 6, 2012 |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=live }} That earmark funding, which had been revised to $188 million, was deleted from the legislation.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/obama_signs_50b_sandy_relief_b.html#incart_river_default |title=President Obama signs $50B Sandy relief bill |date=January 29, 2013 |work=The Star-Ledger |access-date=January 29, 2013 |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=December 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216092144/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/obama_signs_50b_sandy_relief_b.html#incart_river_default |url-status=live }} However, the United States Department of Transportation provided $185 million from its portion of these Sandy relief and resiliency funds to build the "tunnel box" under the Hudson Yards redevelopment project and rebuild an overlapping Maintenance of Equipment building for the Long Island Rail Road.{{Cite news |url=http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/930/618/Amtrak-Hudson-Yards-Ceremony-ATK-13-105.pdf |title=Construction begins to preserve possible pathway of new train tunnels into penn station new york |date=September 13, 2013 |access-date=November 11, 2013 |publisher=Amtrak |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004430/http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/930/618/Amtrak-Hudson-Yards-Ceremony-ATK-13-105.pdf |url-status=live }}

In July 2017, the projected cost for the new tunnels under the Hudson River and for the repair of the North River Tunnels increased to $12.9 billion, up from a previous estimate of $7 to 10 billion.{{Cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/price-york-jersey-rail-tunnel-rises-129b-48474789 |title=Price for New York-New Jersey rail tunnel rises to $12.9B |date=July 6, 2017 |work=ABC News |access-date=July 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707143744/https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/price-york-jersey-rail-tunnel-rises-129b-48474789 |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |url-status=dead |language=en}}{{Cite web |url=http://hudsontunnelproject.com/documents/deis/00%20Executive%20Summary.pdf |title=Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Executive Summary |date=June 2017 |website=hudsontunnelproject.com |publisher=Federal Railroad Administration, New Jersey Transit |access-date=July 10, 2017 |archive-date=December 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215054037/http://hudsontunnelproject.com/documents/deis/00%20Executive%20Summary.pdf |url-status=live }}{{RP|S-10}}

In August 2021, projected costs for construction of the new tunnels and repair of the existing North River Tunnels was revised to $12.3 billion in a financial plan submitted on behalf of the Gateway Development Commission.{{cite web |title=NYC Rail Tunnel Cost Up 6% to $12.3 Billion on Trump Delays |website=Bloomberg |date=August 27, 2021 |last1=Goldman |first1=Henry |last2=Young |first2=Elise |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-27/cost-of-gateway-s-hudson-rail-tunnel-grows-6-to-12-6-billion |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202170706/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-27/cost-of-gateway-s-hudson-rail-tunnel-grows-6-to-12-6-billion |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Short |first=Aaron |title=Gateway Tunnel Budget Increases to $12.3B |website=Commercial Observer |date=August 31, 2021 |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2021/08/gateway-tunnel-budget-increase/ |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706192346/https://commercialobserver.com/2021/08/gateway-tunnel-budget-increase/ |url-status=live }} The States of New York and New Jersey identified their sources of funding for the project, and Amtrak increased its contribution to the project. Early in 2022, the FTA upgraded the rating for the sought Federal Grant share of the tunnel to project, making it eligible for funding.{{cite web |title=NYC Gateway Tunnel Gets Set for Federal Funding as U.S. Raises Priority |first=Skylar |last=Woodhouse |website=Bloomberg |date=January 20, 2022 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-20/nyc-gateway-tunnel-to-receive-federal-funding-with-ratings-boost |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143536/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-20/nyc-gateway-tunnel-to-receive-federal-funding-with-ratings-boost |url-status=live }} In July 2022, the governors of New York and New Jersey signed a memorandum in which the two states' governments agreed to share the cost of the project.{{Cite news |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=July 5, 2022 |title=Hudson River Tunnel Project Moves Ahead as States Agree to Share Costs |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/05/nyregion/gateway-tunnel-hudson-river.html |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705235025/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/05/nyregion/gateway-tunnel-hudson-river.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Katzban |first=Nicholas |title=NY and NJ governors sign memorandum to split cost of Gateway tunnel project |website=NorthJersey.com |date=July 6, 2022 |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2022/07/06/gateway-tunnel-project-ny-nj-split-cost-portal-bridge/65367635007/ |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706171545/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2022/07/06/gateway-tunnel-project-ny-nj-split-cost-portal-bridge/65367635007/ |url-status=live }} By that August, the projected cost of the tunnels and related projects had increased to $16.1 billion.{{cite web |date=September 1, 2022 |title=Gateway tunnel cost jumps to $16.1B and construction start pushed back |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/gateway-tunnel-cost-jumps-16-1b-and-construction-start-pushed-2024 |access-date=October 7, 2022 |website=Crain's New York Business |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007003251/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/gateway-tunnel-cost-jumps-16-1b-and-construction-start-pushed-2024 |url-status=live }}

In November 2015, the creation of the Gateway Development Corporation was announced by Amtrak, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Chuck Schumer, and Governors Christie and Cuomo.{{Cite web |url=http://archive.northjersey.com/cm/2.1593/news/officials-corporation-will-oversee-new-hudson-rail-tunnel-feds-will-split-cost-1.1454035 |title=Officials: Corporation will oversee new Hudson rail tunnel; feds will split cost |last=Maag |first=Christopher |date=November 12, 2015 |website=NorthJersey.com |access-date=March 22, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323233151/http://archive.northjersey.com/news/officials-corporation-will-oversee-new-hudson-rail-tunnel-feds-will-split-cost-1.1454035 |archive-date=March 23, 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2015/11/booker_brokers_deal_on_entity_to_oversee_gateway_t.html |title=Feds agree to fund half of new Hudson rail tunnels, Booker says |date=November 12, 2015 |last=Higgs |first=Larry |website=NJ.com |access-date=March 22, 2017 |archive-date=March 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322205623/http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2015/11/booker_brokers_deal_on_entity_to_oversee_gateway_t.html |url-status=live }} The corporation oversaw planning, environmental, design, engineering, and construction work, and it also sought federal grants and applied for loans. Its board was composed of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey board members, the USDOT, and Amtrak, while its staff consisted of PANYNJ and Amtrak employees.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/12/nyregion/corporation-to-oversee-new-hudson-rail-tunnel-with-us-and-amtrak-financing-half.html |title=Corporation to Oversee New Hudson Rail Tunnel, With U.S. and Amtrak Financing Half |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Emma G. |date=November 11, 2015 |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=March 22, 2017 |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404044056/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/12/nyregion/corporation-to-oversee-new-hudson-rail-tunnel-with-us-and-amtrak-financing-half.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://archive.northjersey.com/cm/2.1593/news/latest-plan-for-hudson-rail-tunnel-draws-questions-about-cost-accountability-1.1454391 |title=Signs of progress emerge on Hudson rail tunnel plan, but concern persists on finding $20B to fund it |last=Maag |first=Christopher |date=November 12, 2015 |website=NorthJersey.com |access-date=March 22, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323143315/http://archive.northjersey.com/news/latest-plan-for-hudson-rail-tunnel-draws-questions-about-cost-accountability-1.1454391 |archive-date=March 23, 2017}}

In December 2015, federal legislation was introduced to allow Amtrak to operate the NEC as a financially separate entity that could invest profits from the line into its infrastructure. The legislation also provided for more low-interest loans through changes in the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing and Capital Investment Grant (New Starts) federal funding programs.{{Cite news |url=https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=337 |title=Booker, Schumer Menendez, Amtrak Chair Announce Breakthroughs Achieved in Just-Passed Transportation Bill that Provides Clear Path to Federal Funding for Gateway Tunnel |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=March 25, 2016 |publisher=www.booker.senate.gov |archive-date=April 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408061218/https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=337 |url-status=live }} In March 2016, Amtrak and PANYNJ committed $35 million each for design and engineering work.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/03/new_hudson_river_rail_tunnels_take_big_step_forward.html |title=New Hudson River rail tunnels take big step forward |date=March 23, 2016 |last=Higgs |first=Larry |website=NJ.com |access-date=March 22, 2017 |archive-date=May 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501211219/http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2016/03/new_hudson_river_rail_tunnels_take_big_step_forward.html |url-status=live }} Additional funding has not been identified.{{Cite news |url=https://nextcity.org/features/view/gateway-tunnel-project-hudson-river-train-tunnel-amtrak-new-york-jersey |title=What One Really Expensive Tunnel Means to U.S. Train Travel The price tag of New York and New Jersey's Gateway Project includes much more than a construction bill. |last=Graber |first=Henry |date=April 4, 2016 |access-date=April 4, 2016 |publisher=NewCity |archive-date=April 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416012211/https://nextcity.org/features/view/gateway-tunnel-project-hudson-river-train-tunnel-amtrak-new-york-jersey |url-status=live }}

The group met for the first time on January 12, 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2017/01/gateway_tunnel_financing_group_sets_stage_for_gett.html |title=Group starts funding effort for new Hudson River tunnels |date=January 12, 2017 |last=Higgs |first=Larry |website=NJ.com |access-date=March 22, 2017 |archive-date=May 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510173336/http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2017/01/gateway_tunnel_financing_group_sets_stage_for_gett.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://nec.amtrak.com/content/notice-special-public-meeting-gateway-program-development-corporation |title=Notice of Special Public Meeting of the Gateway Program Development Corporation |publisher=Amtrak |language=en |access-date=July 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019105948/http://nec.amtrak.com/content/notice-special-public-meeting-gateway-program-development-corporation |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |url-status=dead }} On June 30, 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation sent a letter to the Gateway Development Corporation permanently withdrawing from its board of trustees.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Jeff |date=July 1, 2017 |url=https://www.enotrans.org/article/usdot-withdraws-gateway-corporation/ |title=USDOT Withdraws From Gateway Corporation |website=The Eno Center for Transportation |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026213832/https://www.enotrans.org/article/usdot-withdraws-gateway-corporation/ |url-status=live }} Shortly afterward, the draft Environmental Impact Study for the project was issued.{{Cite web |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/hudson-tunnel-project-cost-projected-at-12-9-billion-1.13785636 |title=The Hudson Tunnel Project is expected to cost $12.9 billion |last=Bazeley |first=Alex |date=July 6, 2017 |website=am New York |access-date=May 7, 2018 |archive-date=May 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507222301/https://www.amny.com/transit/hudson-tunnel-project-cost-projected-at-12-9-billion-1.13785636 |url-status=live }}

By 2019, project stakeholders had decided to create a bi-state agency to oversee the project's planning, funding, and construction of the rail tunnels and bridges. Creating this Gateway Development Commission required identical legislation in the New York and New Jersey legislatures, which both states passed on June 24, 2019.{{cite web |last=Munoz |first=Daniel J. |title=Gateway project hits hurdle with NJ, NY calls for oversight |website=NJBIZ |date=April 22, 2019 |url=https://njbiz.com/gateway-project-hits-hurdle-nj-ny-calls-oversight/ |access-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-date=April 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422222052/https://njbiz.com/gateway-project-hits-hurdle-nj-ny-calls-oversight/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Vielkind |first1=Jimmy |last2=Berger |first2=Paul |title=Gateway Rail Tunnel Project Hits Another Hurdle |website=WSJ |date=April 19, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gateway-rail-tunnel-project-hits-another-hurdle-11555633942 |access-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419034017/https://www.wsj.com/articles/gateway-rail-tunnel-project-hits-another-hurdle-11555633942 |url-status=live }} The law sets standards for transparency and accountability, and says that each state is responsible for half the funding. The Commission can receive funds from federal, state, and local sources.{{Cite news |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/article/21085913/bistate-legislation-passed-to-establish-gateway-development-commission |title=Bi-state legislation passed to establish Gateway Development Commission |last=Wanek-Libman |first=Mischa |date=June 24, 2019 |work=Mass Transit Magazine |access-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624220559/https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/article/21085913/bistate-legislation-passed-to-establish-gateway-development-commission |url-status=live }} The Commission's first CEO, Kris Kolluri, was nominated by New York governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey governor Phil Murphy in early 2022.{{cite web |last=Fazelpoor |first=Matthew |title=Kolluri tapped to run Gateway Development Commission |website=NJBIZ |date=May 6, 2022 |url=https://njbiz.com/kolluri-tapped-to-run-gateway-development-commission/ |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705051152/https://njbiz.com/kolluri-tapped-to-run-gateway-development-commission/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Hoogensen |first=Finn |title=Hochul, Murphy nominate CEO for Gateway Development Commission |website=PIX11 |date=May 7, 2022 |url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/hochul-murphy-nominate-ceo-for-gateway-development-commission/ |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514050033/https://pix11.com/news/local-news/hochul-murphy-nominate-ceo-for-gateway-development-commission/ |url-status=live }} Kolluri resigned July 18, 2024, one month after he was repeatedly mentioned in the indictment of powerful South Jersey political boss George Norcross.{{cite web | last1=Nessen | first1=Stephen | last2=Solomon | first2=Nancy | title=Hudson River tunnel project CEO quits after being referenced in Norcross indictment | website=Gothamist | date=July 18, 2024 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/hudson-river-tunnel-project-ceo-quits-after-being-referenced-in-norcross-indictment | access-date=July 19, 2024}}

The administration of President Barack Obama called Gateway the most vital piece of infrastructure that needs to be built in the United States.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/08/nyregion/obama-administration-urges-quick-action-on-hudson-river-rail-tunnels.html |title=Obama Administration Urges Fast Action on New Hudson River Rail Tunnels |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=May 7, 2015 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=May 12, 2015 |archive-date=May 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519031012/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/08/nyregion/obama-administration-urges-quick-action-on-hudson-river-rail-tunnels.html |url-status=live }} Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman John J. Degnan said in May 2015 that the agency "would step up to the plate" with regard to funding the project,{{Cite news |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/port-authority-agrees-to-help-fund-amtrak-s-hudson-river-rail-tunnel-project-1.1328987 |title=Port Authority chairman pledges to back Amtrak's Hudson River tunnel project |last=Maag |first=Christopher |date=May 7, 2015 |access-date=May 7, 2015 |work=The Record |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509162416/http://www.northjersey.com/news/port-authority-agrees-to-help-fund-amtrak-s-hudson-river-rail-tunnel-project-1.1328987 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.centredaily.com/2015/09/20/4929979_taxpayer-price-tag-for-transportsation.html |title=TRENTON, N.J.: Taxpayer price tag for transportation projects is unclear – Business |publisher=CentreDaily.com |access-date=September 22, 2015}}{{dead link|date=November 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} and in a September 2015 joint letter to Obama, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo offered to pay half of the project's cost if the federal government picked up the rest.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2015/09/christie_cuomo_ask_obama_for_money_to_build_new_rail_tunnel_pledge_state_funds.html |title=Christie, Cuomo ask Obama for money to build new rail tunnel, pledge state funds |last=Higgs |first=Larry |date=September 15, 2015 |work=The Star-Ledger |access-date=September 16, 2015 |archive-date=September 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918010630/http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2015/09/christie_cuomo_ask_obama_for_money_to_build_new_rail_tunnel_pledge_state_funds.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/nyregion/cuomo-and-christie-say-states-can-pay-half-of-hudson-rail-tunnel-project.html |title=Cuomo and Christie Say States Can Pay Half of Hudson Rail Tunnel Project |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Emma G. |date=September 16, 2015 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=September 16, 2015 |archive-date=September 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918201411/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/16/nyregion/cuomo-and-christie-say-states-can-pay-half-of-hudson-rail-tunnel-project.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/christie-cuomo-ask-obama-to-split-hudson-river-tunnel-costs-1442343768 |title=Christie, Cuomo Ask Obama to Split Hudson River Tunnel Costs |last=Tangle |first=Andrew |date=September 15, 2015 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=September 16, 2015 |archive-date=September 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915220452/http://www.wsj.com/articles/christie-cuomo-ask-obama-to-split-hudson-river-tunnel-costs-1442343768 |url-status=live }} After President Donald Trump took office, however, his administration began to cast doubt on funding the project, as Trump suggested defunding the Federal Transit Administrations (FTA)'s New Starts program for all new projects,{{Cite web |url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/03/19/trump-infrastructure-flip-fop-could-put-gateway-tunnel-project-in-peril/ |title=Trump Infrastructure Flip-Flop Could Put Gateway Tunnel Project in Peril |last=Reitmeyer |first=John |date=March 20, 2017 |website=NJ Spotlight |access-date=March 22, 2017 |archive-date=March 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323013618/http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/03/19/trump-infrastructure-flip-fop-could-put-gateway-tunnel-project-in-peril/ |url-status=live }} despite his own Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao calling the project "an absolute priority".{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/05/watch_trump_transportation_official_tells_booker_that_gateway_is_absolute_priority.html |title=Trump transportation chief calls Gateway tunnel 'absolute priority' |last=Salant |first=Jonathon D. |date=May 17, 2017 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |archive-date=May 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523031805/http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/05/watch_trump_transportation_official_tells_booker_that_gateway_is_absolute_priority.html |url-status=live }}

In September 2017, $900 million was allocated for the project in a House of Representatives spending bill,{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/09/how_did_gateway_fare_in_house_spending_bill.html |title=What House just did with spending on Gateway Tunnel for new rail lines to NYC |website=NJ.com |date=September 15, 2017 |last=Salant |first=Jonathan D. |access-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019230310/http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/09/how_did_gateway_fare_in_house_spending_bill.html |url-status=live }} but under pressure from Trump, 155 Republican and four Democratic representatives co-sponsored a proposed amendment to remove the funding, with North Carolina Republican Ted Budd saying, "North Carolina and the other 48 states should not have to foot the bill for this hall of fame earmark." A bipartisan group of representatives from New Jersey disagreed, with Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen saying, "The people of Texas, victims of an historic storm (Hurricane Harvey), need additional federal disaster assistance. The people of New Jersey need a safe and well-functioning transportation infrastructure. I intend to continue to fight for both."{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/09/will_house_republicans_take_away_sandy_funds_to_he.html |title=Will House Republicans take away Sandy funds after helping Harvey victims? |last=Salant |first=Jonathan D. |date=September 6, 2017 |website=NJ.com |access-date=March 4, 2018 |archive-date=March 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304113508/http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/09/will_house_republicans_take_away_sandy_funds_to_he.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/trump-pushes-republicans-to-oppose-crucial-new-york-new-jersey-tunnel-project/2018/03/02/06987446-1e6c-11e8-9de1-147dd2df3829_story.html |title=Trump pushes Republicans to oppose crucial New York-New Jersey tunnel project |last1=DeBonis |first1=Mike |date=March 2, 2018 |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=March 4, 2018 |last2=Dawsey |first2=Josh |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=March 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304031805/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/trump-pushes-republicans-to-oppose-crucial-new-york-new-jersey-tunnel-project/2018/03/02/06987446-1e6c-11e8-9de1-147dd2df3829_story.html |url-status=live }}

On December 14, 2017, Governor Chris Christie committed $1.9 billion, New Jersey's share of the tunnel cost.{{cite news |url=http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2017/12/14/christie-pledges-1-9-billion-gateway-tunnel-new-york/952340001/ |title=NJ Transit says Hudson River rail tunnel fix will require 90 cent fare increase to New York |last1=Nash |first1=James |date=December 14, 2017 |access-date=December 14, 2017 |publisher=North Jersey |archive-date=December 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217165259/http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2017/12/14/christie-pledges-1-9-billion-gateway-tunnel-new-york/952340001/ |url-status=live }} On December 29, 2017, multiple news sources published a letter from a Trump administration FTA official who stated that the Gateway Program was a "local" project, putting federal funding for the project in doubt.{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-pulls-brakes-on-13b-obama-backed-rail-tunnel-plan |title=Trump pulls brakes on $13B Obama-backed rail-tunnel plan |last1=Betz |first1=Bradford |date=December 31, 2017 |access-date=December 31, 2017 |publisher=Fox News |archive-date=December 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231073123/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/31/trump-pulls-brakes-on-13b-obama-backed-rail-tunnel-plan.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20171229/POLITICS/171229921/trump-administration-kills-gateway-tunnel-deal |title=Trump administration kills Gateway tunnel deal |last1=Bredderman |first1=Will |date=December 29, 2017 |access-date=December 31, 2017 |work=Crain's New York Business |archive-date=December 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231070253/http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20171229/POLITICS/171229921/trump-administration-kills-gateway-tunnel-deal |url-status=live }}

In March 2018, Trump directly pressured Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan to oppose federal funding for the Gateway Program in the omnibus spending bill that was then being worked on.{{Cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2018/03/03/dems-fume-over-trumps-push-to-cut-funds-for-gateway-project/ |title=Dems fume over Trump's push to cut funds for Gateway project |date=March 3, 2018 |last1=Hogan |first1=Gynne |last2=Linge |first2=Mary Kay |work=New York Post |access-date=March 4, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303230642/https://nypost.com/2018/03/03/dems-fume-over-trumps-push-to-cut-funds-for-gateway-project/ |url-status=live }} When the Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed on March 23, 2018, it provided $2.9 billion to discretionary grant programs,{{Cite web |url=https://policy.house.gov/legislative/bills/house-amendment-senate-amendment-hr1625-consolidated-appropriations-act-2018 |title=House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R.1625, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 |date=March 22, 2018 |website=Republican Policy Committee |access-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-date=March 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326142403/https://policy.house.gov/legislative/bills/house-amendment-senate-amendment-hr1625-consolidated-appropriations-act-2018 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-21/new-york-new-jersey-rail-project-said-to-get-some-money-in-deal |title=New York-New Jersey Rail Project Gets Some Money in Congress Deal |date=March 21, 2018 |last1=Niquette |first1=Mark |last2=Wasson |first2=Erik |work=Bloomberg.com |access-date=March 28, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402161330/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-21/new-york-new-jersey-rail-project-said-to-get-some-money-in-deal |url-status=live }} which Democrats said could provide as much as $541 million for Gateway,{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/03/22/heres-what-congress-is-stuffing-into-its-1-3-trillion-spending-bill/ |title=Here's what Congress is stuffing into its $1.3 trillion spending bill |last1=DeBonis |first1=Mike |date=March 22, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 25, 2018 |last2=O'Keefe |first2=Ed |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |last3=Werner |first3=Erica |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310021521/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/03/22/heres-what-congress-is-stuffing-into-its-1-3-trillion-spending-bill/ |url-status=live }} with $388 million coming from $650 million for improvements to the Northeast Corridor and another $153 million coming from FTA grants.{{Cite news |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/a-pair-of-crucial-new-hudson-river-tunnels-just-took-a-major-step-forward-032718 |title=A pair of crucial new Hudson River tunnels just took a major step forward |last=Guse |first=Clayton |date=March 27, 2018 |work=Time Out New York |access-date=March 28, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102710/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/a-pair-of-crucial-new-hudson-river-tunnels-just-took-a-major-step-forward-032718 |url-status=live }}

In June 2018, the State of New Jersey approved $600 million in bonds to finance the Portal Bridge part of the project.{{Cite news |last=Tate |first=Curtis |date=June 15, 2018 |url=https://eu.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2018/06/15/portal-bridge-new-nj-state-funding-move-feds-chip/706246002/ |title=Will new state funding move the feds to chip in for Portal Bridge? |work=North Jersey |access-date=August 13, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143536/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2018/06/15/portal-bridge-new-nj-state-funding-move-feds-chip/706246002/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Hutter |first=David |date=June 13, 2018 |url=http://www.njbiz.com/article/20180613/NJBIZ01/180619921/nj-transit-board-approves-600m-bond-to-replace-portal-bridge |title=NJ Transit board approves $600M bond to replace Portal Bridge |work=NJBIZ |access-date=August 13, 2018 |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824013308/http://www.njbiz.com/article/20180613/NJBIZ01/180619921/nj-transit-board-approves-600m-bond-to-replace-portal-bridge |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/06/12/floating-a-600-million-bond-issue-to-build-new-portal-bridge/ |title=Floating a $600 Million Bond Issue to Build New Portal Bridge |website=www.njspotlight.com |date=June 13, 2018 |last=Reitmeyer |first=John |access-date=August 13, 2018 |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619221748/http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/06/12/floating-a-600-million-bond-issue-to-build-new-portal-bridge/ |url-status=live }} In its 2020 budget, the Trump administration again proposed cutting funding for the Gateway Program by half, from $650 to $325 million.{{Cite news |url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/03/12/gateway-project-hudson-river-tunnel-north-river-tunnel-new-york-new-jersey/ |title=N.Y., N.J. Lawmakers Scramble For Backup Plan After Trump 2020 Budget Cuts Money From Gateway Project Fund |date=March 12, 2019 |work=CBS New York |access-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624223236/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/03/12/gateway-project-hudson-river-tunnel-north-river-tunnel-new-york-new-jersey/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Trump administration deals another blow to Gateway Tunnel |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2020/03/trump-administration-deals-another-blow-to-gateway-tunnel.html |last1=Higgs |first1=Larry |last2=Salant |first2=Jonathan D. |date=March 5, 2020 |website=nj |language=en |access-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=May 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502025532/https://www.nj.com/politics/2020/03/trump-administration-deals-another-blow-to-gateway-tunnel.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=February 27, 2020 |title=More Pain for N.J. Commuters: Tunnel Repairs Could Cause Big Delays |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/nyregion/hudson-river-tunnel-repair.html |access-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304111728/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/27/nyregion/hudson-river-tunnel-repair.html |url-status=live }}

With the inauguration of Joe Biden as U.S. President in January 2021, discussion resumed on funding the Gateway Program. Schumer, who had become the Senate majority leader, said that month he was working with Biden administration Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to allocate $12 billion to the project.{{Cite web |last=Hickman |first=Matt |date=January 26, 2021 |title=Stalled by Trump, $12 billion Gateway tunnel project poised to receive funding under Biden |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2021/01/stalled-by-trump-12-billion-gateway-tunnel-project-poised-to-receive-funding-under-biden/ |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |language=en-US |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126211118/https://www.archpaper.com/2021/01/stalled-by-trump-12-billion-gateway-tunnel-project-poised-to-receive-funding-under-biden/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Kaske |first=Michelle |date=January 25, 2021 |title=NYC's Hudson Rail Tunnel Likely to Get More Funds, Schumer Says |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/nyc-s-hudson-rail-tunnel-likely-to-get-more-funds-schumer-says-1.1553717 |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=BNN Bloomberg |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203023302/https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/nyc-s-hudson-rail-tunnel-likely-to-get-more-funds-schumer-says-1.1553717 |url-status=live }} Buttigieg supported the project, saying, "This is a regional issue, but one of national significance."{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2021 |title=NYC-NJ tunnel plan has 'sense of urgency,' Buttigieg says |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/nyc-nj-tunnel-plan-has-sense-urgency-buttigieg-says |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=Crain's New York Business |language=en |archive-date=March 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330224254/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/nyc-nj-tunnel-plan-has-sense-urgency-buttigieg-says |url-status=live }}

On May 28, 2021, the project was formally approved by the federal government.{{Cite news |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=May 28, 2021 |title=At Long Last, a New Rail Tunnel Under the Hudson River Can Be Built |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/28/nyregion/-gateway-tunnel-biden-support.html |access-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528152357/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/28/nyregion/-gateway-tunnel-biden-support.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Gateway project to build new Hudson River tunnels wins key federal approval |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2021/05/gateway-project-to-build-new-hudson-river-tunnels-wins-key-federal-approval.html |access-date=May 28, 2021 |website=nj |archive-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528120917/https://www.nj.com/news/2021/05/gateway-project-to-build-new-hudson-river-tunnels-wins-key-federal-approval.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Porter |first=David |date=May 28, 2021 |title=$11 Billion New York-New Jersey Rail Tunnel Gets Key Federal Approval |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/11-billion-new-york-new-jersey-rail-tunnel-gets-key-federal-approval/3080108/ |access-date=May 28, 2021 |website=NBC New York |archive-date=May 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528165934/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/11-billion-new-york-new-jersey-rail-tunnel-gets-key-federal-approval/3080108/ |url-status=live }} The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in November 2021, appropriated billions for projects like Gateway and other upgrades to the Northeast Corridor.{{cite news |title=Infrastructure bill includes billions for Northeast Corridor |first=T.A. |last=DeFeo |work=The Center Square |date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |url=https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_jersey/infrastructure-bill-includes-billions-for-northeast-corridor/article_9e5e17f8-40ab-11ec-828d-17687f531bbe.html |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113223702/https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_jersey/infrastructure-bill-includes-billions-for-northeast-corridor/article_9e5e17f8-40ab-11ec-828d-17687f531bbe.html |url-status=live }} The next month, the United States Army Corps of Engineers gave final approval.{{cite web |last=Katzban |first=Nicholas |title=Gateway Project clears final hurdle, but tunnel construction won't begin until 2023 |website=NorthJersey.com |date=December 1, 2021 |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2021/12/01/gateway-tunnel-project-clears-final-hurdle-digging-begins-2023/8826549002/ |access-date=December 2, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122185512/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2021/12/01/gateway-tunnel-project-clears-final-hurdle-digging-begins-2023/8826549002/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |title=Hudson River rail tunnel gets green light from the feds to start building it |website=nj |date=December 1, 2021 |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2021/12/hudson-river-rail-tunnel-gets-green-light-from-the-feds-to-start-building-it.html |access-date=December 2, 2021 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143537/https://www.nj.com/news/2021/12/hudson-river-rail-tunnel-gets-green-light-from-the-feds-to-start-building-it.html |url-status=live }} On August 31, 2022, the Gateway Development Commission announced the new tunnels would be completed in 2035 and the existing North River Tunnels would be rehabilitated by 2038.{{Cite news |last=Rubinstein |first=Dana |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Commuter Tunnel Under the Hudson Won't Be Finished Until 2035 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/nyregion/gateway-tunnel-ny-nj-delay.html |access-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006222107/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/nyregion/gateway-tunnel-ny-nj-delay.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Stoltz |first=Marsha A. |title=Hudson tunnel project will be delayed by three years and cost $2B more, commission says |website=NorthJersey.com |date=September 2, 2022 |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2022/09/02/hudson-tunnel-project-gateway-delayed-cost/65469949007/ |access-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143538/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2022/09/02/hudson-tunnel-project-gateway-delayed-cost/65469949007/ |url-status=live }}

In July 2022, New Jersey and New York officials each agreed to pay 25 percent of the project's cost; under the agreement, federal officials would pay 50 percent.{{cite web | last=Higgs | first=Larry | title=N.J., N.Y. sign funding agreement on Gateway rail tunnel, bridge. Tunnel work could begin in 2023. | website=nj | date=July 5, 2022 | url=https://www.nj.com/news/2022/07/nj-ny-sign-funding-agreement-on-gateway-rail-tunnel-bridge-tunnel-work-could-begin-in-2023.html | access-date=December 30, 2022}}{{cite web | last=Westbrook | first=Elijah | title=Governors Kathy Hochul and Phil Murphy sign $14B funding agreement for Gateway Hudson Tunnel project | website=CBS News | date=July 6, 2022 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/gateway-hudson-tunnel-project-funding-agreement/ | access-date=December 30, 2022}} The New Jersey Turnpike Authority agreed to help fund New Jersey's portion of the project in December 2022.{{cite web | title=New Jersey Turnpike Authority to help pay state's share of Gateway Tunnel project | website=Trains | date=December 21, 2022 | url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/new-jersey-turnpike-authority-to-help-pay-states-share-of-gateway-tunnel-project/ | access-date=December 30, 2022}}{{cite web | last=Higgs | first=Larry | title=N.J. Turnpike agrees to pay billions to help fund the Gateway Tunnel | website=nj | date=December 20, 2022 | url=https://www.nj.com/news/2022/12/nj-turnpike-agrees-to-pay-billions-to-help-fund-the-gateway-tunnel.html | access-date=December 30, 2022}} Schumer said the same month that construction on the project would commence in 2023 with $292 million in federal funding,{{cite web | last=Sanderson | first=Bill | title=Hudson River rail tunnel construction in NYC starting in 2023 with $292M federal grant, Schumer says | website=New York Daily News | date=December 29, 2022 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-gateway-tunnel-hudson-river-amtrak-schumer-penn-station-20221229-lmtcmzljdjatfehhehlxwyh2vi-story.html | access-date=December 30, 2022}} which Biden announced would be used to complete the Hudson Yards "tunnel box".{{cite web | last=Tillman | first=Rachel | title=Biden announces 9 'mega' grants for infrastructure projects | website=Spectrum News NY1 New York City | date=January 30, 2023 | url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/01/30/biden-to-announce--292-million-for-hudson-rail-tunnel-project-during-nyc-visit | access-date=February 1, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Brachfeld | first=Ben | title='We're going to get it done': Biden touts $300M investment in Gateway Tunnel project on visit to NYC | website=amNewYork | date=January 31, 2023 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/biden-touts-gateway-tunnel-project-nyc/ | access-date=February 1, 2023}} In July 2023, the FTA promised a $6.88 billion grant, the largest transit grant that the federal government had ever given;{{cite news |first=Patrick |last=McGeehan | title=Hudson Tunnel Project to Get $6.9 Billion in Largest U.S. Transit Grant |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 | date=July 6, 2023 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/06/nyregion/nyc-penn-station-tunnel-gateway.html | access-date=August 24, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Brachfeld | first=Ben | title=Biden admin awards nearly $7B to Gateway Tunnel project, largest federal transit grant in US history | website=amNewYork | date=July 6, 2023 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/gateway-tunnel-project-federal-funding/ | access-date=August 24, 2023}} the grant was finalized the following June{{cite web | last=Bergeron | first=Tom | title=Time to dig: Gateway Tunnel project gets full-funding grant ($6.8B) from federal government | website=ROI-NJ | date=June 12, 2024 | url=https://www.roi-nj.com/2024/06/12/politics/time-to-dig-gateway-tunnel-project-gets-full-funding-grant-6-8-billion-from-federal-government/ | access-date=June 12, 2024}}{{cite web | last=McGeehan | first=Patrick | title=Gateway Tunnel Project Under Hudson River Gets Final Green Light | website=The New York Times | date=June 11, 2024 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/11/nyregion/gateway-tunnel-amtrak-funding.html | access-date=June 12, 2024}} and handed over to the Gateway Development Corporation that July.{{cite web | last=Siff | first=Andrew | title=$16 billion Gateway Tunnel Project gets federal funding boost after years of delays | website=NBC New York | date=July 8, 2024 | url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/traffic/transit-traffic/gateway-tunnel-project-federal-funding-construction-underway-delays/5576135/ | access-date=July 9, 2024}}{{cite web | title=Gateway rail tunnel project: Officials announce $6.8B grant to fund long-delayed path between NYC, NJ | website=ABC7 New York | date=July 8, 2024 | url=https://abc7ny.com/post/gateway-rail-tunnel-project-officials-announce-68b-grant/15042403/ | access-date=July 9, 2024}} Another $3.8 billion grant was provided in November 2023.{{Cite news|last=McGeehan|first=Patrick|date=November 3, 2023|title=New Phase of Gateway Tunnel Project in Hudson River to Begin|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/03/nyregion/gateway-tunnel-amtrak-hudson-river.html|access-date=November 7, 2023|issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web | last=Wilson | first=Colleen | title=NJ share of Gateway tunnel project cost to drop, feds add $4B | website=Bergen Record | date=November 3, 2023 | url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2023/11/03/nj-share-gateway-tunnel-project-cost-drop-federal-funding/71438151007/ | access-date=November 7, 2023}} All told, $12 billion in federal funding for the $16 billion project was planned to be committed by the 2024 United States presidential election, bringing the project to a "point of no return".{{cite web | title=Hudson Tunnel Project Awaits Final Approval in NYC | website=Hudson Reporter | date=May 30, 2024 | url=https://hudsonreporter.com/news/north-bergen/hudson-tunnel-project/ | access-date=June 3, 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Woodhouse |first=Skylar |date=May 14, 2024 |title=NYC Rail Project Heads for 'Point of No Return' Before Election |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-14/nyc-rail-project-heads-for-point-of-no-return-before-election |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240514205255/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-14/nyc-rail-project-heads-for-point-of-no-return-before-election |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=November 14, 2024 |work=Bloomberg}}

The new tunnel is scheduled to open in 2035.{{Cite web |last=Rahmanan |first=Anna |date=2024-07-11 |title=A new tunnel will soon connect New York and New Jersey |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/a-new-tunnel-will-soon-connect-new-york-and-new-jersey-071124 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Time Out New York |language=en-US}}

{{As of|July 2023}}, the board consists of:{{cite web | title=About the Commission – Gateway Program | website=Gateway Program | date=June 20, 2019 | url=https://www.gatewayprogram.org/aboutthecommission-2.html | access-date=July 12, 2023}}

• New Jersey Co-Chair – Balpreet Grewal-Virk – Appointed by Phil Murphy
• New York Co-Chair – Alicia Glen – Appointed by Kathy Hochul
• Amtrak Vice Chair – Tony Coscia
• New Jersey Commissioner – Janine Bauer – Appointed by Phil Murphy
• New Jersey Commissioner – Amy Rosen – Appointed by Phil Murphy
• New York Commissioner – Jamey Barbas – Appointed by Andrew Cuomo
• New York Commissioner – Marie Therese Dominguez – Appointed by Andrew Cuomo

{{As of|July 2023}}, the Executive Director was Kris Kolluri, who resigned in July 2024. He was succeeded in 2025 by Thomas F. Prendergast.{{cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |date=January 14, 2025 |title=Ex-MTA CEO to head agency building $16B Gateway rail tunnel, sources say |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2025/01/ex-mta-ceo-to-head-agency-building-16b-gateway-rail-tunnel-sources-say.html |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=nj}}{{cite web |last=Fazelpoor |first=Matthew |date=January 14, 2025 |title=Former MTA head Prendergast tapped to lead GDC |url=https://njbiz.com/former-mta-head-prendergast-tapped-to-lead-gdc/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=NJBIZ}}

The current route, about {{convert|11|mi|km}} long, includes infrastructure that was built in the 1900s and 1910s.{{cite news |last1=McGeehan |first1=Patrick |last2=Glanz |first2=James |date=August 20, 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/nyregion/amtrak-njtransit-delays.html |title=Why Amtrak's System Keeps Breaking Down: It's 100 Years Old |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 25, 2024}} The system operates at capacity during peak hours—24 trains per hour—and limits speed for safety reasons. The new route would run parallel to the current right-of-way, enabling dispatching alternatives, potential speed increases, and up to 24 more trains per hour.

File:Harrisontrainjeh.jpg

Six tracks connect Newark Penn Station and the adjacent Dock Bridge over the Passaic River at {{coord|40|44|05|N|74|9|51|W|type:railwaystation_region:US-NJ|display=inline}}. The station and the west span of the bridge, carrying three tracks, were built in 1935. The east span, opened in 1937, carries one outbound track and the two Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) rapid transit tracks. To the northeast lies the PATH's Harrison station. From the bridge and through the station, Amtrak and NJT trains run on three center tracks; the PATH uses side platforms. Maps for the Gateway Program indicate that a fourth track for the NEC will be added through the station.

The bridge, owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), was repaired in 2009.{{Cite journal |date=May 28, 2009 |title=Rules and Regulation |url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12383.pdf |url-status=live |journal=Federal Register |volume=74 |issue=101 |page=25448 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721041009/http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-12383.pdf |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=February 14, 2011}}

In the 2010s, the station received a $173 million reconstruction and expansion. Unrelated to the Gateway Program, it was funded by the PANYNJ, which owns and operates the PATH, and the Federal Transit Administration.{{cite web |title=The Harrison PATH Station |work=Daily Harrison |url=http://www.dailyharrison.com/harrison-path-station |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224160752/http://www.dailyharrison.com/harrison-path-station |url-status=live }}

File:Avelia Liberty Kearny Junction.jpg

At the Sawtooth Bridges at {{Coord|40|44|38|N|74|7|30|W}}{{cite web |title=NEC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OF RELEVANCE TO NEW JERSEY |publisher=ARP |date=January 2013 |url=http://www.nj-arp.org/Assets/nec%20infrastructure%20projects%20of%20relevance%20to%20nj.pdf |access-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-date=January 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126225904/http://www.nj-arp.org/Assets/nec%20infrastructure%20projects%20of%20relevance%20to%20nj.pdf |url-status=live }} east of the former Manhattan Transfer, the rights-of-way of Amtrak, and PATH, and several NJT lines converge and run parallel to each other. While there is no junction with PATH, NJT trains can switch tracks, depending on their terminal of origination or destination, enabling Midtown Direct trains on the Morris and Essex Lines to join or depart the Northeast Corridor. The single track limited-use Waterfront Connection connects some lines using diesel trains on Hoboken Terminal trips with the NEC to the west. Plans call for replacement of the bridges and expansion from two to four tracks, requiring the construction of bridges in the Kearny Meadows at Newark Turnpike and Belleville Turnpike.

File:Portal.Bridge.NJ.jpg

File:Secaucus Junct CR 653 jeh.JPG

The subproject Portal Bridge Replacement would construct two new two-track rail bridges over the Hackensack River, replacing the existing Portal Bridge built in 1910: the Portal North Bridge and the Portal South Bridge.

The old Portal Bridge at {{Coord|40|45|13|N|74|5|41|W|name=Portal Bridge|display=inline}} is a two-track, rail-only, {{convert|961|ft|m|adj=on}} swing bridge over the Hackensack River between Kearny and Secaucus. Its design limits train speeds, temporarily prohibits crossings when open, and requires frequent and costly maintenance. Its lowest beams are {{convert|23|ft|m}} above the water, so it opens regularly for shipping,{{cite web |last=Baldwin |first=Zoe |title=Feds Open "Portal" to Expansion of NJ Transit's Network |publisher=Mobilizing the Region |date=January 8, 2009 |url=http://blog.tstc.org/2009/01/08/feds-open-portal-to-expansion-of-nj-transits-network/ |access-date=February 10, 2011 |archive-date=September 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919144702/http://blog.tstc.org/2009/01/08/feds-open-portal-to-expansion-of-nj-transits-network/ |url-status=live }} though not during weekday rush hours, when trains have priority.{{Cite web |url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2007/julqtr/33cfr117.723.htm |title=Code of Federal Regulations, Title 33, Volume 1 |date=July 1, 2007 |website=Code of Federal Regulations |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |pages=616–617 |access-date=September 11, 2012 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721040959/http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2007/julqtr/33cfr117.723.htm |url-status=live }} In addition to the drawbacks that come with the swing bridge design itself, due to its substantial age and bad state of repair the Portal Bridge frequently failed to close properly after swinging back, causing major disruptions for riders on NJ Transit and Amtrak.{{cite news |last1=McGeehan |first1=Patrick |title=For 80,000 Commuters, One Nemesis: A 108-Year-Old Bridge |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/nyregion/portal-bridge-amtrak-train-delays.html |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=New York Times |date=11 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125122000/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/11/nyregion/portal-bridge-amtrak-train-delays.html |archive-date=November 25, 2022 |url-status=live }}

The first phase of the project is the construction of the two-track Portal North Bridge, expected to take 6 years to complete once construction begins. The Portal North Bridge would replace the tracks on the existing Portal Bridge one-by-one. It would hence yield reliability improvements, but not increase capacity.{{cite news |title=Gateway Project advances, Portal North Bridge included |first=Daniel |last=Israel |date=May 21, 2021 |work=Hudson Reporter |url=https://hudsonreporter.com/2021/05/21/commitments-made-to-advance-gateway-project-including-portal-north-bridge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627132352/https://hudsonreporter.com/2021/05/21/commitments-made-to-advance-gateway-project-including-portal-north-bridge/ |archive-date=June 27, 2021}} After the Portal North Bridge enters service, the old Portal Bridge would be demolished. A twin bridge, the Portal South Bridge, would eventually double the number of tracks to four, thus matching the rest of the Northeast Corridor.{{cite web |title=Other Gateway Program Projects |date=August 9, 2022 |url=https://www.gatewayprogram.org/other-projects.html |publisher=Gateway Development Commission |access-date=29 November 2024 |ref=gateway commission - list other projects |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720175641/https://www.gatewayprogram.org/other-projects.html |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |url-status=live }}

Construction on the Portal North bridge began on August 1, 2022, with a groundbreaking ceremony.{{cite news |title=Breaking ground for new Portal North Bridge in New Jersey |url=https://abc7ny.com/nj-portal-bridge-north-hackensack-river/12090335/ |work=WABC-TV |date=August 1, 2022 |access-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809174515/https://abc7ny.com/nj-portal-bridge-north-hackensack-river/12090335/ |url-status=dead }} The Portal North Bridge was halfway complete and on budget {{as of|lc=y|2024|5|13|alt=by mid-May 2024}}.{{cite news |url=https://abc7ny.com/post/amtrak-and-new-jersey-transit-announced-that-the-portal-north-bridge-is-halfway-complete/14808274/ |title=Halfway done! Amtrak, NJ Transit announce new Portal North Bridge, on time and on budget |last=Johnson |first=Anthony |publisher=ABC7 New York |date=May 13, 2024 |access-date=May 14, 2024}} In November 2024, the first of three arch segments was floated to the construction side, after being assembled off-site.{{cite news |last1=Caloway |first1=Nick |title=Key milestone reached for new Portal North Bridge |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/portal-north-bridge-arch-arrives/ |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=CBS New York |date=26 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127032257/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/portal-north-bridge-arch-arrives/ |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |url-status=live }} As of November 2024, no funding commitment has been made for the two-track Portal South Bridge, leaving its timeline uncertain.

In December 2008, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) approved a $1.34 billion project to replace the Portal Bridge with two new bridges: a three-track bridge to the north, and a two-track bridge to the south. In 2009, New Jersey applied for funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and on January 28, 2010, received $38.5 million for design.{{cite web |title=High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program |publisher=gov |url=http://www.dot.gov/recovery/docs/hsiprapplist.pdf |access-date=February 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105142147/http://www.dot.gov/recovery/docs/hsiprapplist.pdf |archive-date=January 5, 2011 }} In April 2011, Amtrak applied for $570 million for construction from US DOT. New Jersey was expected to contribute $150 million.

In the early design years, cycling advocates, with Lautenberg's support, lobbied to include a bike path that would have become part of the East Coast Greenway, however that was not included in the final design of the Portal North Bridge.{{cite web |last=Copeland |first=Denise |title=Senator Lautenberg lends his support to bike and pedestrian access on the new Portal Bridge over the Hackensack |work=The Star-Ledger |date=June 1, 2010 |url=http://blog.nj.com/nj_off-road_biking/2010/06/lautenberg_supports_access_on_portal_bridge.html |access-date=February 19, 2011 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714184924/http://blog.nj.com/nj_off-road_biking/2010/06/lautenberg_supports_access_on_portal_bridge.html |url-status=live }}

In October 2015, a $16 million TIGER grant was awarded and will be used to support early construction activities such as realignment of a 138 kV transmission monopole, constructing a temporary fiber optic cable pole line, building a finger pier construction access structure, a service access road and a 560-foot retaining wall.{{cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/nj-transit-gets-16m-grant-for-rail-bridge-replacement-1.1441881 |title=NJ Transit gets $16M grant for rail bridge replacement |last=Maag |first=Christopher |publisher=NorthJersey.com |access-date=October 27, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/us_giving_16_million_to_replace_portal_bridge.html |title=$16M federal grant will help replace Portal Bridge |work=The Star-Ledger |date=October 27, 2015 |last1=Higgs |first1=Larry |last2=Salant |first2=Jonathan D. |access-date=October 27, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143538/https://www.nj.com/politics/2015/10/us_giving_16_million_to_replace_portal_bridge.html |url-status=live }}

Construction on the new bridges had been scheduled to begin in 2010 and wrap up in 2017, at which time the Portal Bridge would have been dismantled; however, the project encountered numerous delays primarily due to a lack of state and federal funding during the Republican administrations of New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie and U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whom opposed the project.{{cite web |title=AECOM JV Bags US$18 Mln Contract For New Jersey's Portal Bridge Replacement Project – Quick Facts |url=http://www.rttnews.com/Content/QuickFacts.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1170705%20&Category=Quick%20Facts |date=January 5, 2010 |publisher=RTT News |access-date=January 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715211216/http://www.rttnews.com/Content/QuickFacts.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1170705%20&Category=Quick%20Facts |archive-date=July 15, 2011 }}

In June 2020, Trump informed NJ Governor Phil Murphy that he would no longer oppose the Portal Bridge replacement, allowing the project to begin once it could be properly financed.{{Cite news |last=Racioppi |first=Dustin |date=June 20, 2020 |title=Portal Bridge clears major hurdle and likely to get funding for replacement, Murphy says |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2020/06/19/portal-bridge-replacement-clears-major-funding-hurdle-murphy-says/3226334001/ |access-date=June 27, 2021 |work=northjersey.com |publisher=North Jersey Media Group |language=en-US |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805190521/https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2020/06/19/portal-bridge-replacement-clears-major-funding-hurdle-murphy-says/3226334001/ |url-status=live }}

Opened on December 15, 2003, at a cost of $450 million, Secaucus Junction (at {{coord|40.76161|N|74.074985|W|type:railwaystation_region:US-NJ|display=inline}}) is an interchange station served by nine of New Jersey Transit's rail lines, and is sited where Hoboken Terminal trains intersect with those traveling along the Northeast Corridor. Passenger transfers are possible, but there is no rail junction. While Access to the Region's Core had planned a loop to create a junction,{{Cite web |url=http://www.arctunnel.com/ |title=ARC Access to the Region's Core |publisher=New Jersey Transit |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=February 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202055734/http://www.arctunnel.com/ |url-status=live }} original plans for the Gateway Program did not. Amtrak trains pass through the station, but do not stop there, nor are there plans to include an Amtrak stop. In April 2012, Amtrak announced that the project might include a "Bergen Loop" connecting Main Line, Bergen County Line, Pascack Valley Line and Port Jervis Line service{{cite magazine |last=Bowen |first=Douglas John |title=Secaucus Loop idea revived, tied to Gateway Tunnel |magazine=Railway Age |date=June 19, 2013 |url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/secaucus-loop-proposal-revived-tied-to-gateway-tunnel.html |access-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143544/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/commuterregional/secaucus-loop-proposal-revived-tied-to-gateway-tunnel/ |url-status=live }} to the NEC at Secaucus Junction.{{cite web |last=Rouse |first=Karen |title=Amtrak's Gateway Proposal includes "Bergen Loop" to NYV |newspaper=The Record |date=April 24, 2012 |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/Amtraks_Gateway_proposal_includes_Bergen_loop_to_NYC.html |access-date=April 30, 2012 |archive-date=April 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428013929/http://www.northjersey.com/news/Amtraks_Gateway_proposal_includes_Bergen_loop_to_NYC.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.njspotlightnews.org/video/gateway-tunnel-could-bring-direct-train-service-from-north-jersey-to-nyc/ |title=Gateway Tunnel Could Bring Direct Train Service from North Jersey to NYC |date=April 26, 2012 |website=NJ Spotlight News |access-date=January 26, 2023}} MTA constituencies are encouraging the agency to include funding for the loop its capital plan.{{cite news |last=Rife |first=Judy |title=MTA urged to back Amtrak project 1-seat trip for Port riders to Midtown seen |newspaper=Times Herald-Record |date=August 31, 2014 |url=http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20140831%2FBIZ%2F408310312 |access-date=September 3, 2014 |archive-date=September 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906223221/http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20140831%2FBIZ%2F408310312 |url-status=live }}

If a loop were built, passengers bound for New York Penn Station would not need to use Secaucus Junction for transfers. Trains using the loop would also increase the capacity demands on the already over-capacity NEC which the Gateway Program is designed to alleviate. Suburban property owners along the Main Line/Bergen County Line and Pascack Valley Line would stand to gain economically as property values have increased significantly along commuter rail lines once they were upgraded to offer "single-seat commutes".{{Cite web |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/port-authority-commits-to-direct-ride-to-nyc-for-north-jersey-commuters-as-part-of-hudson-river-tunnel-1.1532989 |title=Port Authority rail tunnel plan includes direct ride for North Jersey commuters |last=Maag |first=Christopher |date=March 25, 2016 |website=The Record |access-date=July 26, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325120252/http://www.northjersey.com/news/port-authority-commits-to-direct-ride-to-nyc-for-north-jersey-commuters-as-part-of-hudson-river-tunnel-1.1532989 |archive-date=March 25, 2016}}

File:New York City - Pennsylvania Station.jpg

The Gateway Program would build two new tunnels, doubling the rail capacity.{{Rp|S-2 to S-3, S-10}}{{rp|5B-17}} The current North River Tunnels allow a maximum of 24 one-way crossings per hour;{{Cite journal |title=NJ Transit's Response to Shifting Travel Demand in the Aftermath of September 11, 2001 |journal=Travel Trends |volume=3 |publisher=The Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center |location=New Brunswick |date=Fall 2006 |url=http://policy.rutgers.edu/vtc/reports/REPORTS/traveltrends-winter2006.pdf |access-date=March 8, 2011 |quote=NJ TRANSIT financed a new High Density Signal system in conjunction with the Kearny Connection, Montclair Connection and Secaucus Transfer projects that allowed the total number of NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak peak period trains operating in the heavily congested NewarkPSNY corridor to increase from 18 per hour to 23. The new signal system enabled NJ TRANSIT to substantially increase its share of peak hour trains, from 11 (of theprior capacity of 18) to 17 or 18, depending on the hour, of the 23 now available. (The "New Initiatives" agreement anticipated a capacity of 25 trains during the peak hour; however, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak, through informal agreement, have limited the maximum number of hourly moves to 23 because of the continuing need to "reverse" trains out of New York back to New Jersey to make additional runs. These "reverse moves" cross the path of inbound trains and consume one or two precious peak slots per hour into New York. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720041452/http://policy.rutgers.edu/vtc/reports/REPORTS/traveltrends-winter2006.pdf |archive-date=July 20, 2011 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/statefactsheets/NEWJERSEY17.pdf |title=Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2017, State of New Jersey |publisher=Amtrak |date=2017 |access-date=January 1, 2018 |page=3 |archive-date=February 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206104111/https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/statefactsheets/NEWJERSEY17.pdf |url-status=live }} the Gateway proposal would allow an additional 24 trains per hour.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gatewayprogram.org/content/dam/nec/gdc-board-items-january/2017-01-12-Porcari-GDC-Final.pdf |title=Gateway Program Overview and Update |publisher=Gateway Program Development Corporation |date=January 12, 2017 |first=John D. |last=Porcari |access-date=January 1, 2018 |page=21 |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072421/http://www.gatewayprogram.org/content/dam/nec/gdc-board-items-january/2017-01-12-Porcari-GDC-Final.pdf |url-status=live }}

The North River Tunnels were 102 years old when they were inundated by seawater from Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.{{cite web |title=Amtrak Tunnels Flooded During Sandy To Reopen Friday |website=CBS New York |date=November 7, 2012 |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/11/07/amtrak-tunnels-flooded-during-sandy-to-reopen-friday/ |access-date=May 7, 2018 |archive-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508053850/http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/11/07/amtrak-tunnels-flooded-during-sandy-to-reopen-friday/ |url-status=live }} If the new Hudson Tunnel is not built, the North River Tunnels will have to be closed one at a time, reducing weekday service below the existing level of 24 trains per hour. Due to the need to provide two-way service on a single track, service would be reduced by over 50 percent. In the best-case scenario, with perfect operating conditions, 9 trains per hour could be provided through the tunnel, or a 63% reduction in service. During the duration of construction, passengers would have to use overcrowded PATH, buses, and ferries to get between New Jersey and New York.{{Cite web |url=http://hudsontunnelproject.com/documents/deis/01%20Purpose%20and%20Need.pdf |title=Hudson Tunnel Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Chapter 1 Purpose and Need |date=June 2017 |website=hudsontunnelproject.com |access-date=July 10, 2017 |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730110048/http://hudsontunnelproject.com/documents/deis/01%20Purpose%20and%20Need.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Rp|1–7}} In May 2014, Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman told the Regional Plan Association that there was something less than 20 years before one or both of the tunnels would have to be shut down.{{cite news |last=Rubinstein |first=Dana |title=Clock ticking on Hudson crossings, Amtrak warns |newspaper=Capital |date=May 5, 2014 |url=http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2014/05/8544757/clock-ticking-hudson-crossings-amtrak-warns |access-date=May 20, 2014 |archive-date=May 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510062536/http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2014/05/8544757/clock-ticking-hudson-crossings-amtrak-warns |url-status=live }}

As a result of the storm damage and the tunnels' age, component failures regularly occur within the tubes, resulting in frequent delays.{{cite web |title=Sandy-damaged tunnels could cause Amtrak nightmare |website=AP News |date=October 2, 2014 |url=https://www.apnews.com/c3811ff029464ac8be35314417fbfd23 |access-date=May 7, 2018 |archive-date=May 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507222054/https://www.apnews.com/c3811ff029464ac8be35314417fbfd23 |url-status=live }} One report in 2019 estimated that the North River Tubes and the Portal Bridge contributed to 2,000 hours of delays between 2014 and 2018.{{Cite web |last=Wanek-Libman |first=Mischa |date=July 23, 2019 |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/article/21089671/how-bad-are-delays-caused-by-north-river-tunnel-and-portal-bridge-2000-lost-hours-bad |title=How bad are delays caused by North River Tunnel and Portal Bridge? 2,000 lost hours bad. |website=www.MassTransitMag.com |language=en |access-date=July 26, 2019 |archive-date=July 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726161856/https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/article/21089671/how-bad-are-delays-caused-by-north-river-tunnel-and-portal-bridge-2000-lost-hours-bad |url-status=live }} The North River Tunnels need to be repaired without major reductions in weekday service, making it necessary to have new tunnels built. Once the new tunnels open, the two North River Tunnels would close for repairs, one at a time, with the existing level of service maintained. This is because the new tunnel would be located further south–there would be no access to Track 19, and Tracks 9–18 would only have access to the tunnel by the single I ladder-track. Once the new North River Tunnels reopen in 2030, capacity on the line would be doubled. The Hudson Tunnel Project would also allow for resiliency on the Northeast Corridor to be increased, making service along the line more reliable with redundant capacity.{{Rp|S-2 to S-3, S-10}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.hudsontunnelproject.com/documents/deis/05B%20Transportation%20Services.pdf |title=Hudson Tunnel Project Draft Environmental Impact Study Chapter 5B Transportation Services |date=June 2017 |website=hudsontunnelproject.com |publisher=Federal Railroad Administration, New Jersey Transit |access-date=July 10, 2017 |archive-date=September 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033656/http://www.hudsontunnelproject.com/documents/deis/05B%20Transportation%20Services.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Rp|5B-17}}

The Gateway Hudson River tunnel, one point of which would be at {{coord|40.75479|-74.01677|display=inline|type:landmark_region:US}}, will travel from a point at Weehawken Cove under the Hudson River and its eastern portal south of West Side Yard in Manhattan. Engineering studies for ARC along this route had been deemed unfeasible.{{Cite web |last=Barbara |first=Philip |title=Planned Hudson River rail tunnel isn't perfect, but it's good |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=April 26, 2009 |url=http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2009/04/planned_hudson_river_rail_tunn.html |access-date=March 6, 2011 |quote=One previous ARC design had a new NJ Transit station below Penn Station, which would enable all train platforms to be under one roof. But geologists found softer rock formations from an ancient stream bed that would not provide the necessary structural integrity required of new construction.....But planners found they could not repeat in a built-up city what the Pennsylvania Railroad did when it built the existing tunnel 100 years ago by digging a wide trench through the west side of Manhattan. The only solution was to dig deep – low enough to avoid the historic 90-foot-deep shoreline bulkhead and the New York Subway No. 7 line's extension. From that depth and in a short distance, trains can't reliably rise to make it into Penn Station. After repeated review, it was concluded a spur from the new tunnel was impossible. |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714185021/http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2009/04/planned_hudson_river_rail_tunn.html |url-status=live }} Surveys of properties which would or would not be affected by underground construction at underground eastern end of the ARC Tunnel had been completed.{{Cite web |url=http://www.arctunnel.com/property/ |title=New York Property Information |year=2011 |website=Access to the Region's Core |publisher=PANYNJ/NJT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303061338/http://www.arctunnel.com/property/ |archive-date=March 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 6, 2011 }}

In April 2011, $188 million in federal funding was requested for preliminary engineering studies and environmental analysis.{{cite web |title=Amtrak Seeks $1.3 billion for Gateway Project and Next-Generation High-Speed Rail on NEC |publisher=Amtrak |date=April 4, 2011 |url=http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServer?blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1249224538367&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobhead |access-date=April 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503205942/http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServer?blobcol=urldata&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1249224538367&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobhead |archive-date=May 3, 2011 }} On May 2, 2016, the FRA published a Notice of Intent to jointly prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) with NJ Transit for the Hudson Tunnel Project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a reasonable range of alternatives, including a no-build alternative. As appropriate, FRA and NJ Transit will coordinate with Amtrak and PANYNJ on the EIS.{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/05/02/2016-10277/environmental-impact-statement-eis-for-the-hudson-tunnel-project-in-hudson-county-new-jersey-and-new |title=Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project in Hudson County, New Jersey and New York County, New York |date=May 2, 2016 |publisher=Federal Railroad Administration |access-date=May 23, 2016 |archive-date=May 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512171740/https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/05/02/2016-10277/environmental-impact-statement-eis-for-the-hudson-tunnel-project-in-hudson-county-new-jersey-and-new |url-status=live }} {{PD-notice}}

The ARC Tunnel was to be built in three sections: under the Hudson Palisades, under the Hudson River, and under the streets of Manhattan, where it would have dead-ended. The Hudson Tunnel will likely be built along the footprint of the Palisades and river sections, but will enable trains to join the current interlocking once it emerges. A flying junction is planned for later stages. This will allow Amtrak and NJT to continue to use the East River Tunnels and Sunnyside Yards for staging, storage, and carrying Amtrak NEC trains.

The Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) for Gateway tunnels was issued in June 2017. Four alternatives for alignments under the Hudson River and the Palisades. Option 1 would have the new tunnels run close to the existing tunnels with a ventilation site near the Lincoln Tunnel Helix. This option would have required a construction staging site within the Lincoln Tunnel Helix, thus displacing New Jersey Transit's Weehawken bus storage site, which would have a negative impact on the operation of buses to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Option 2 would have the new tunnels run further south than the first option, with a shaft site north of 19th Street near JFK Boulevard East. This option would require the acquisition and demolition of an existing multi-story office building to build the shaft site. The third option would be further south with a shaft site south of 19th Street. This option would preclude the development of a portion of a planned residential development under construction at 800 Harbor Boulevard. The fourth option would be further south with a shaft site south of 18th Street, following the same horizontal alignment identified in the ARC FEIS. Alignment Option 4 was chosen for the build alternative even though it would have a slightly longer tunnel than in the other alternatives. Because of the additional length, there would be additional tunneling costs for this option. The first three options have greater pre-construction risks, meaning that if construction was delayed the cost difference would be minimized. In addition, Option 4 does not have the issues that the first three options have.{{Rp|S-6}}{{Rp|2–9 to 2–10}}

The new tunnel would be built to comply with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 130, Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems, with the two tubes connected by cross passages every {{Convert|750|feet|meters}} with fire-rated doors to separate the two tubes.{{Rp|S-9}} The tunnel would be constructed through the use of two tunnel boring machines beneath the river bottom.{{Rp|S-11}}

While the Hudson Tunnel Project would double the number of tracks under the Hudson River, it would not result in an increase in rail capacity due to constraints at Penn Station. Penn Station operates at capacity during peak periods, and since it takes a long time for passengers to board and alight trains, trains cannot leave and enter the station as might otherwise be possible. Even with improvements in the station, there are inadequate train storage facilities at Penn, and there is no capacity in the East River Tunnels to allow for trains to be stored during middays at Sunnyside Yard. Without these additional improvements, it is assumed that the same number of trains going between New Jersey and New York today would be operating in 2030, albeit with the additional tunnel capacity.{{RP|S-9 to S-10}} The first construction contract relating to the tunnel itself, a contract for stabilizing the riverbed, was awarded in February 2024.{{cite web | last=Simko-Bednarski | first=Evan | title=Gateway commission awards first contract in Hudson River tunnel project | website=New York Daily News | date=February 16, 2024 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/02/16/gateway-project-commission-awards-first-contract-in-hudson-river-tunnel-project/ | access-date=February 20, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Wilson | first=Colleen | title=Hudson riverbed to be stabilized for Gateway rail tunnel | website=Bergen Record | date=February 16, 2024 | url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2024/02/16/hudson-riverbed-stabilized-gateway-rail-tunnel-project/72627882007/ | access-date=February 20, 2024}} By mid-2024, the first tunnel boring machine was scheduled to begin digging in late 2024 or early 2025, while a second TBM was to begin digging in 2026. Each TBM was expected to take two years to finish excavating its respective tube.{{cite web | title=Officials sign off on $6.88 billion grant for Gateway Tunnel | website=Trains | date=July 9, 2024 | url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/officials-sign-off-on-6-88-billion-grant-for-gateway-tunnel/ | access-date=July 9, 2024}}

A groundbreaking for ARC was held on June 8, 2009,{{cite press release |publisher=New Jersey Transit |date=June 8, 2009 |title=New Jersey Breaks Ground on Nation's Largest Transit Project |url=http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2516 |access-date=February 13, 2010 |archive-date=June 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627234727/http://www.njtransit.com/tm/tm_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=PressReleaseTo&PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2516 |url-status=dead }} for new underpass at {{Coord|40|45|56|N|74|2|14|W|name=Gateway Palisades Tunnel|display=inline}}, under Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen near the site western portal of the tunnel through Hudson Palisades just south of the North River Tunnels. The land, which cost $26.3 million, is owned by NJT.{{Cite news |last=Wilshe |first=Brett |title=With ARC tunnel scrapped, NJ Transit officials wonder what to do with $26.3 million worth of North Bergen property |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |date=October 31, 2010 |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/10/with_arc_tunnel_scrapped_nj_tr.html |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211161657/http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/10/with_arc_tunnel_scrapped_nj_tr.html |url-status=live }} A tunneling contract for the Palisades Tunnel was awarded on May 5, 2010, to Skanska.{{cite web |title=Skanska to Construct Rail Tunnel in New York for USD 52 M, Approximately SEK 380 M |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100517007289/en/Skanska-Construct-Rail-Tunnel-York-USD-52 |date=May 18, 2010 |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708105413/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100517007289/en/Skanska-Construct-Rail-Tunnel-York-USD-52 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last=Finkelstein |first=Alex |title=Skanska Constructing $258 Million Palisades Tunnel for New Jersey Transit |date=May 18, 2010 |url=http://www.realestatechannel.com/us-markets/commercial-real-estate-1/real-estate-news-skanska-new-jersey-transit-palisades-tunnel-trans-hudson-express-project-skanska-usa-civil-2555.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908070846/http://www.realestatechannel.com/us-markets/commercial-real-estate-1/real-estate-news-skanska-new-jersey-transit-palisades-tunnel-trans-hudson-express-project-skanska-usa-civil-2555.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |access-date=February 19, 2011 }} Maps indicate this part of the Hudson Tunnel would follow a route to the Weehawken-Hoboken border. In October 2012, in an eminent domain case for a property in Weehawken NJ Transit acquired a parcel in the path of the tunnel for $8.5 million.{{cite news |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |title=NJ Transit still paying price for canceled Hudson River rail tunnel |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=October 16, 2012 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/10/nj_transit_still_paying_price.html |access-date=March 30, 2013 |archive-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322203356/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/10/nj_transit_still_paying_price.html |url-status=live }} Federal funding of $25 million for the completion of an overpass carrying U.S. Route 1/9 above the New Jersey portal was authorized in June 2023,{{cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Feds give $25M to build N.J. highway bridge that was started and canceled in 2010 |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2023/06/feds-give-25m-to-build-nj-highway-bridge-that-was-started-and-canceled-in-2010.html |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=nj}} and the Gateway Development Commission awarded $47.3 million in contracts that September to raise Tonnelle Avenue above the portal.{{Cite news |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=September 11, 2023 |title=13 Years Later, Construction to Restart on Hudson River Rail Tunnel |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/11/nyregion/gateway-amtrak-tunnel.html |access-date=September 12, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web |last=Leggate |first=James |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Gateway Awards Contracts for Early Work on New Jersey Side of Hudson Rail Tunnel |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/57085-gateway-awards-contracts-for-early-work-on-new-jersey-side-of-hudson-rail-tunnel |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=Engineering News-Record}} Work on the Tonnelle Avenue overpass began in November 2023.{{cite web | last=Gainer | first=Alice | title=Roadway bridge construction for Hudson River tunnel begins in North Bergen, N.J. | website=CBS New York | date=November 30, 2023 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/highway-bridge-construction-for-hudson-river-tunnel-begins-in-north-bergen-n-j/ | access-date=February 20, 2024}}

File:PennStation.jpg

The air rights over the West Side Yard are being developed as a residential and commercial district on a platform constructed over the yard as part of the Hudson Yards project.{{cite news |title=Rezoning Will Allow Railyard Project to Advance |first=Charles V. |last=Bagli |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/nyregion/22hudson.html |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=December 21, 2009 |access-date=December 22, 2009 |archive-date=October 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020152756/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/nyregion/22hudson.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=MTA Finalizes Hudson Yards Deal |url=http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=67 |work=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |date=May 26, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2010 |archive-date=June 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602085420/http://mta.info/news/stories/?story=67 |url-status=live }} Placing a new Amtrak portal in Manhattan could have conflicted with the Hudson Yards project, which broke ground in late 2012. In February 2013, Amtrak officials said they would commission a project to preserve a right-of-way under Hudson Yards for future use, to be built with $120 million to $150 million in federal funds.{{cite news |last=Sichert |first=Bill |title=Amtrak to construct 'tunnel box' for Hudson River rail project to cross Manhattan development |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=March 5, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/somerset/index.ssf/2013/03/amtrak_to_construct_tunnel_box.html |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904022337/https://www.nj.com/somerset/2013/03/amtrak_to_construct_tunnel_box.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Samtani |first=Hiten |title=Related, Amtrak to construct rail tunnel between Manhattan and NJ |publisher=The Real Deal |date=February 26, 2013 |url=http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/02/26/related-amtrak-to-construct-rail-tunnel-between-manhattan-and-nj/ |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-date=March 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305192501/http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/02/26/related-amtrak-to-construct-rail-tunnel-between-manhattan-and-nj/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |authorlink=Steve Cuozzo |last=Cuozzo |first=Steve |title=Fed money keeps rail tunnel alive |newspaper=The New York Post |date=February 26, 2013 |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/realestate/commercial/fed_money_keeps_rail_tunnel_alive_02ScWZ2xkmnE17S2cRty7J |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-date=March 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301013535/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/realestate/commercial/fed_money_keeps_rail_tunnel_alive_02ScWZ2xkmnE17S2cRty7J |url-status=live }} in June 2013 it was announced that $183 million had been dedicated to the "tunnel box" as part of Hurricane Sandy recovery funding.{{Cite web |url=http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/13/10/21/nj-faces-hefty-pricetag-for-rail-tunnel-transportation-projects/?p=all |title=NJ Faces Hefty Pricetag for Rail Tunnel, Transportation Projects |last=Magyar |first=Mark J. |date=October 21, 2013 |publisher=NJ Spotlight |access-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023143650/http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/13/10/21/nj-faces-hefty-pricetag-for-rail-tunnel-transportation-projects/?p=all |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Second Trans-Hudson Tunnel Gets Some Real Money |work=Transportation Nation |publisher=WNYC |date=May 30, 2013 |url=http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/transportation-nation/2013/may/30/second-trans-hudson-tunnel-gets-some-real-money |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130705190823/http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/transportation-nation/2013/may/30/second-trans-hudson-tunnel-gets-some-real-money |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 5, 2013 |access-date=November 26, 2013}}{{cite news |last=Hawkins |first=Andrew |title=Hudson train tunnel project gets kickstart |publisher=Crain's |date=May 30, 2013 |url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20130530/TRANSPORTATION/130539987 |access-date=January 27, 2014 |archive-date=April 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401194554/http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20130530/TRANSPORTATION/130539987 |url-status=live }}

Construction began on the first phase, from 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue between 31st Street and 33rd Streets, on September 23, 2013, at {{coord|40.754661|N|74.003783|W|region:US-NY_type:landmark|display=inline}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.ny1.com/content/news/189300/west-side-construction-project-may-bring-new-rail-tunnel-pathways-to-hudson-river |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131106164437/http://www.ny1.com/content/news/189300/west-side-construction-project-may-bring-new-rail-tunnel-pathways-to-hudson-river |url-status=dead |title=West Side Construction Project May Bring New Rail Tunnel Pathways To … |date=November 6, 2013 |last=Martinez |first=Jose |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |website=NY1.com |access-date=October 26, 2017}} The underground concrete casing for the first phase was {{convert|800|ft|m|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide, and about {{convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on}} tall.{{Cite web |title=Environmental Assessment for Construction of a Concrete Casing in the Hudson Yards, New York, New York |publisher=Federal Railroad Administration |date=March 2013 |url=http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/3050 |access-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222827/http://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/3050 |url-status=live }} Amtrak awarded Tutor Perini a $133 million contract to build a section of box tunnel.{{cite web |title=Contract awarded for New York rail tunnel |publisher=Construction Index |date=September 7, 2013 |url=http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/contract-awarded-for-new-york-rail-tunnel |access-date=November 26, 2013 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203090948/http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/contract-awarded-for-new-york-rail-tunnel |url-status=live }} This portion was completed a year later. Amtrak, NJ Transit, and the MTA applied to the Federal Transit Administration for a $65 million matching grant for another {{convert|105|ft|m|abbr=on}} long structure to preserve the right-of-way at 11th Avenue in Manhattan{{cite news |last=Higgs |first=Larry |title=Amtrak: New tunnels needed after Sandy damage |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |date=September 1, 2014 |url=http://www.app.com/story/news/traffic/2014/09/01/sandy-amtrak-tunnels/14928539/ |access-date=September 1, 2014 |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016143539/https://www.app.com/story/news/traffic/2014/09/01/sandy-amtrak-tunnels/14928539/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Maag |first=Christopher |title=Signs of life stir for rail tunnel under Hudson |newspaper=The Record |date=September 21, 2014 |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/signs-of-life-stir-for-rail-tunnel-under-hudson-1.1093168 |access-date=September 22, 2014 |archive-date=September 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922135612/http://www.northjersey.com/news/signs-of-life-stir-for-rail-tunnel-under-hudson-1.1093168 |url-status=live }} under a viaduct that was rehabilitated in 2009–2011.{{cite web |url=http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/11thavenue_viaduct.pdf |title=11th Avenue Viaduct Over LIRR Yard West 30th to West 33rd Streets |publisher=NYC DOT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602160610/http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/11thavenue_viaduct.pdf |archive-date=June 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 3, 2014}}{{cite web |title=Rehabilitation of 11th Avenue Viaduct Over LIRR/Amtrak |publisher=Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers |url=http://www.mrce.com/media/projects/09344%20Rehabilitation%20of%2011th%20Avenue%20over%20Amtrak.pdf |access-date=September 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513060935/http://www.mrce.com/media/projects/09344%20Rehabilitation%20of%2011th%20Avenue%20over%20Amtrak.pdf |archive-date=May 13, 2008 }} Construction started in December 2014 and was nearing completion {{as of|July 2017|lc=y}}, though funding disputes stalled the tunnel box's completion.{{cite web |title=Part of Hudson Yards Tunnels Is Nearly Done. Now It Sits, Unused. |website=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=July 20, 2017 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/nyregion/hudson-yards-tunnels-gateway-project.html |access-date=August 30, 2018 |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831071950/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/nyregion/hudson-yards-tunnels-gateway-project.html |url-status=live }} The tunnel box was substantially complete by November 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190325_0930_LIRR.pdf |title=Long Island Rail Road Committee Meeting – March 2019 |date=March 25, 2019 |website=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=August 15, 2019 |page=50 |archive-date=May 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524211224/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190325_0930_LIRR.pdf |url-status=dead}} The following phase would extend the casing between 11th and 12th Avenue as the development of Hudson Yards continues westward.{{Cite web |url=https://nec.amtrak.com/content/hudson-yard-right-way-preservation-project |title=Hudson Yard Right-of-Way Preservation Project |publisher=Amtrak |language=en |access-date=July 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019104758/http://nec.amtrak.com/content/hudson-yard-right-way-preservation-project |archive-date=October 19, 2017 |url-status=dead }} Work on the concrete tunnel box resumed in November 2023.{{Cite web |last=Brosnan |first=Erica |date=November 3, 2023 |title=Gateway Tunnel project work begins amid $3.8B in new funding |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/manhattan/news/2023/11/03/gateway-tunnel-project-work-begins-amid--3-8b-in-new-funding |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=NY1 |language=en}}

To connect the tunnel to Penn Station, extensive track modifications will be required. The profile of several tracks will have to be lowered so that they can meet the grade of the new tunnel tracks at the new portal within A Yard. The I Ladder track, which runs diagonal to the other tracks to provide connections to the platforms tracks, would be extended to connect to the new tracks from the tunnel, allowing trains to stop on Tracks 1 through 18. Some tracks within A Yard would be reconfigured. While construction takes place in A Yard, the three trains stored in A Yard and D Yard would be stored in other locations due to the unavailability of storage tracks in those yards. The Empire Line tunnel, near Tenth Avenue, will be modified: 100 feet of that tunnel beneath Tenth Avenue will be lowered so its tracks can connect to the lower track profile in A Yard. This work will be done during weekends over a 20-month period, or through a full closure of the Empire Line tunnel for two to three months. All of this work would take 21 months.{{Rp|5B-15 to 5B-16}}

{{main|New York Penn Station}}

Penn Station, the 1968 structure that replaced the original Pennsylvania Station in New York, has been called the "busiest, most congested, passenger transportation facility in North America on a daily basis".{{cite web |last=Jaffee |first=Eric |title=Can Amtrak Afford Its New NYC Home? |newspaper=Atlantic Monthly |date=December 22, 2011 |url=http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2011/12/can-amtrak-afford-its-new-nyc-home/791/ |access-date=December 28, 2011 |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212120257/http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2011/12/can-amtrak-afford-its-new-nyc-home/791/ |url-status=live }} It is used by Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and served by several New York City Subway lines. Between 1976 and 2010 weekday train movements increased 89%, from 661 to 1,248, reaching what is considered to be capacity. In 2010, the station saw 550,000 daily boardings/alightings.{{Cite news |last=Grynbaum |first=Michael M. |title=The Joys and Woes of Penn Station at 100 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=October 18, 2010 |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/the-joys-and-woes-of-penn-station-at-100/?scp=2&sq=Penn%20Station%20busiest&st=cse |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930185614/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/the-joys-and-woes-of-penn-station-at-100/?scp=2&sq=Penn%20Station%20busiest&st=cse |url-status=live }}

Penn Station is part of the Pennsylvania Plaza complex that includes Madison Square Garden (MSG). In 2013, the New York City Council voted to extend the MSG Special Permit by up to ten years, in an effort to have the arena move to a different location so that a new station structure can be built in its place.{{cite news |last=Gould |first=Jessica |date=July 24, 2013 |title=City Council Limits Lease on Madison Square Garden, Makes Way for a New Penn Station |publisher=WNYC |url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/308647-nyc-limits-madison-square-garden-lease-renewal-makes-way-new-penn-station/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203175153/http://www.wnyc.org/story/308647-nyc-limits-madison-square-garden-lease-renewal-makes-way-new-penn-station/ |archive-date=December 3, 2013}}{{cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=July 25, 2013 |title=Madison Square Garden told to move |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/nyregion/madison-square-garden-is-told-to-move.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113100634/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/nyregion/madison-square-garden-is-told-to-move.html |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Stephen Jacob |date=August 13, 2013 |title=Vanity Project: Why Fancy Architecture Won't Save Penn Station |newspaper=The New York Observer |url=http://observer.com/2013/08/vanity-project/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233759/http://observer.com/2013/08/vanity-project/ |archive-date=December 2, 2013}}

{{main|Moynihan Train Hall}}

File:Acela nearing 9th Av jeh.jpg, as seen looking southeast at the rear of the building.]]

In the early 1990s, then-New York Senator Daniel Moynihan championed a proposal to convert the James Farley Post Office to a train station.{{Cite news |last=Editorial |title=Moynihan Station, Finally? |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=February 23, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/opinion/24wed4.html?scp=2&sq=Moynihan%20Station&st=cse |access-date=February 9, 2011 |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027030159/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/opinion/24wed4.html?scp=2&sq=Moynihan%20Station&st=cse |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Blumenthal |first=Sidney |title=To the Pennsylvania Station |newspaper=The New York |date=March 14, 1994 |url=http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1994/03/14/1994_03_14_070_TNY_CARDS_000367637 |access-date=February 19, 2011 |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021213340/http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1994/03/14/1994_03_14_070_TNY_CARDS_000367637 |url-status=live }} Opened in 1912, soon after the original Pennsylvania Station, the landmark building stood across from Penn Plaza and was built over tracks approaching the station from the west.{{Cite news |last=Lueck |first=Thomas J. |title=A $60 Million Step Forward In Rebuilding Penn Station |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |date=November 11, 1999 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/19/nyregion/a-60-million-step-forward-in-rebuilding-penn-station.html?scp=50&sq=Moynihan%20Farley%20Penn&st=cse |access-date=February 9, 2011 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925085514/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/19/nyregion/a-60-million-step-forward-in-rebuilding-penn-station.html?scp=50&sq=Moynihan%20Farley%20Penn&st=cse |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=No. 7 Subway Extension – Hudson Yards Rezoning and Development Program |publisher=nyc.gov |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/hyards/hy_chap11_g1_fgeis_final.pdf |access-date=February 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102819/http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/hyards/hy_chap11_g1_fgeis_final.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}

In 2010, work began on a $267 million Phase 1. This phase consisted of an expansion of the Long Island Rail Road's underground West End Concourse, which ran under the Farley Building's main entrance, as well as two entrances to the existing Penn Station platforms through the Farley Building on Eighth Avenue.{{cite web |last=Castillo |first=Alfonso A. |date=February 16, 2010 |title=First phase of Penn Station overhaul fully funded |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/first-phase-of-penn-station-overhaul-fully-funded-1.1764909 |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=Newsday |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204161732/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/first-phase-of-penn-station-overhaul-fully-funded-1.1764909 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Michaelson |first=Juliette |date=February 16, 2010 |title=Moynihan Station Awarded Federal Grant |newspaper=Friends of Moynihan Station |url=http://www.moynihanstation.org/newsite/TIGER_statement_Friends_of_Moynihan_Station.pdf |url-status=dead |access-date=February 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714141034/http://www.moynihanstation.org/newsite/TIGER_statement_Friends_of_Moynihan_Station.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2010}}{{cite web |last=Strunsky |first=Steve |date=May 10, 2012 |title=Multi-million dollar contract awarded for long-planned expansion of New York's Penn Station |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2012/05/multi-million_dollar_contract.html |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=NJ Advance |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231022550/https://www.nj.com/news/2012/05/multi-million_dollar_contract.html |url-status=live }} A groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 18, 2010.{{cite journal |date=October 18, 2010 |title=New York Penn Station expansion to finally see light of day |url=http://trn.trains.com/en/Railroad%20News/News%20Wire/2010/10/New%20York%20Penn%20Station%20expansion%20to%20finally%20see%20light%20of%20day.aspx |journal=Trains |access-date=October 20, 2010 |archive-date=March 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319201054/http://trn.trains.com/en/Railroad%20News/News%20Wire/2010/10/New%20York%20Penn%20Station%20expansion%20to%20finally%20see%20light%20of%20day.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=May 9, 2012 |title=Work to begin on massive Penn Station expansion |publisher=Long Island Business News |agency=Associated Press |url=http://libn.com/2012/05/09/work-to-begin-on-massive-penn-station-expansion/ |access-date=May 9, 2012 |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512111640/http://libn.com/2012/05/09/work-to-begin-on-massive-penn-station-expansion/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |date=October 18, 2010 |title=A Ceremonial Start for Moynihan Station |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/a-ceremonial-start-for-moynihan-station/?scp=1&sq=Moynihan%20Station&st=cse |access-date=February 9, 2011 |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714220451/http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/a-ceremonial-start-for-moynihan-station/?scp=1&sq=Moynihan%20Station&st=cse |url-status=live }} In May 2012, the PANYNJ announced that a $270 million contract for the first phase, including the concourse expansion under 8th Avenue, had been awarded.{{cite news |date=May 9, 2012 |title=Work to begin on massive Penn Station expansion |newspaper=Long Island Business News |agency=Associated Press |url=http://libn.com/2012/05/09/work-to-begin-on-massive-penn-station-expansion/ |access-date=May 9, 2012 |archive-date=May 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512111640/http://libn.com/2012/05/09/work-to-begin-on-massive-penn-station-expansion/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Boburg |first=Shawn |date=May 8, 2012 |title=New Amtrak station to relieve rush-hour crowds at Penn Station in first phase of project |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/Moynihan_train_station.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510034909/http://www.northjersey.com/news/transportation/Moynihan_train_station.html |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |access-date=May 14, 2012 |newspaper=The Record }} The West End Concourse opened in June 2017.{{cite web |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |date=June 15, 2017 |title=First phase of Moynihan Train Hall project opens on Eighth Ave. |url=https://therealdeal.com/2017/06/15/first-phase-of-moynihan-train-hall-project-opens-on-eighth-ave/ |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=The Real Deal New York |archive-date=April 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419143636/https://therealdeal.com/2017/06/15/first-phase-of-moynihan-train-hall-project-opens-on-eighth-ave/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Jose |date=June 15, 2017 |title=New Penn Station Entrance Part of Bigger Plan to Revamp Rail Hub |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2017/06/15/new-penn-station-entrance-opens |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=Spectrum News NY1 | New York City |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422031225/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2017/06/15/new-penn-station-entrance-opens |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Warerkar |first=Tanay |date=June 15, 2017 |title=Penn Station's West End Concourse finally opens to the public |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2017/6/15/15807744/penn-station-west-end-concourse-post-office |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=Curbed NY |archive-date=June 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615163346/https://ny.curbed.com/2017/6/15/15807744/penn-station-west-end-concourse-post-office |url-status=live }}

Phase 2 consisted of the new train hall in the fully renovated Farley Building. In January 2016, New York governor Cuomo announced plans for a combined Penn-Farley Post Office complex, a project estimated to cost $3 billion.{{cite web |last1=Bagli |first1=Charles V. |last2=Fitzsimmons |first2=Emma G. |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Cuomo Lays Out Renovation Plan for Penn Station and Farley Post Office |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/07/nyregion/cuomo-lays-out-renovation-plan-for-penn-station-and-farley-post-office.html |access-date=May 30, 2016 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316222635/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/07/nyregion/cuomo-lays-out-renovation-plan-for-penn-station-and-farley-post-office.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=April 22, 2016 |title=Penn Station Renovation – Moynihan – Empire State Station |url=http://therealdeal.com/2016/04/22/who-can-develop-the-new-3b-penn-station-complex/ |access-date=May 30, 2016 |work=The Real Deal New York |archive-date=May 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529025101/http://therealdeal.com/2016/04/22/who-can-develop-the-new-3b-penn-station-complex/ |url-status=live }} At that time, the project was renamed Moynihan Train Hall.{{cite web |last1=Tangel |first1=Andrew |last2=West |first2=Melanie Grayce |date=January 8, 2016 |title=New Name for Revamped Penn Station Surprises Moynihan Officials, Sparks Debate |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/proposed-name-of-revamped-penn-station-surprises-moynihan-officials-1452277666 |access-date=March 6, 2019 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306234913/https://www.wsj.com/articles/proposed-name-of-revamped-penn-station-surprises-moynihan-officials-1452277666 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Hardt |first=Bob |date=January 7, 2016 |title=NY1 ItCH: Let's Not Rename Moynihan Station |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/political-itch/2016/01/7/ny1-itch--let-s-not-rename-moynihan-station |access-date=March 6, 2019 |website=Spectrum News NY1 | New York City |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306234847/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/political-itch/2016/01/7/ny1-itch--let-s-not-rename-moynihan-station |url-status=live }} In August 2017, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Moynihan Train Hall.{{Cite news |last1=Nasa |first1=Rahima |last2=Blain |first2=Glenn |date=August 17, 2017 |title=Cuomo touts $1.6B train hall project next to Penn Station |language=en |work=NY Daily News |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/cuomo-touts-1-6b-train-hall-project-penn-station-article-1.3420953 |access-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906091706/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/cuomo-touts-1-6b-train-hall-project-penn-station-article-1.3420953 |url-status=live }} The train hall opened to the public on January 1, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Re |first=Justine |date=January 1, 2021 |title=Moynihan Train Hall Opens at Penn Station |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2021/01/01/moynihan-train-hall-opens-at-penn-station |access-date=January 1, 2021 |website=www.ny1.com |language=en |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101152012/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2021/01/01/moynihan-train-hall-opens-at-penn-station |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2021 |title=Moynihan Train Hall Finally Opens in Manhattan |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/moynihan-train-hall-finally-opens-in-manhattan/2806145/ |access-date=December 31, 2020 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231033127/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/moynihan-train-hall-finally-opens-in-manhattan/2806145/ |url-status=live }}

{{distinguish|Penn South}}

File:250 W31 New York Terminal Service Plant jeh.jpg

File:John Baptist RCC 210 W31 jeh.jpg

Plans call for Penn Station South to be located on the block south of the current New York Penn Station at 31st Street and diagonally across Eighth Avenue from the post office, on land which is currently privately held.{{Cite report |title=Penn 2023 Envisioning a new Penn Station, the next Madison Square Garden, and the future of west Midtown |publisher=Regional Plan Association |date=October 17, 2013 |url=http://www.rpa.org/library/pdf/RPA-MAS-Penn-2023.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225712/http://www.rpa.org/library/pdf/RPA-MAS-Penn-2023.pdf |archive-date=December 2, 2013 }} While the PANYNJ had been acquiring land for ARC along its route, acquisition south of the station has not begun. It is likely the entire block would be razed and made available for highrise construction after completion of the station.{{cite web |title=Midtown block would likely get razed for Gateway plan |work=DNAinfo.com |date=February 17, 2011 |last=Colvin |first=Jill |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/20110217/midtown/midtown-block-would-likely-get-razed-for-gateway-plan |access-date=March 7, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227020459/http://www.dnainfo.com/20110217/midtown/midtown-block-would-likely-get-razed-for-gateway-plan |archive-date=February 27, 2011 }} Plans call for seven tracks served by four platforms in what will be a terminal annex to the entire station complex. In April 2011 Amtrak requested $50 million in federal funding for preliminary engineering and environmental analysis.

In 2014, it was estimated that it would cost $404 million to purchase 35 properties in order to build a new terminal at the location.{{cite news |last=Higgs |first=Larry |title=Why Amtrak would have to buy $400M in NYC real estate to build new Hudson tunnel |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |date=October 7, 2014 |url=http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2014/10/amtrak_has_404_million_hurdle.html |access-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009115757/http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2014/10/amtrak_has_404_million_hurdle.html |url-status=live }} Based on development guidelines from the New York City Planning Commission, it is estimated that at 2015 prices it would cost between $769 million and $1.3 billion to buy the block bounded to the north and south by 31st and 30th streets, and to the east and west by Seventh and Eighth avenues. Real estate prices are 2½ times higher now than they were in 2012 according to prominent real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.{{cite news |last=Maag |first=Christopher |title=Hudson River train tunnel hinges on pricey plan |newspaper=The Record |date=January 17, 2015 |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/hudson-river-train-tunnel-hinges-on-pricey-plan-1.1211136 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316044430/http://archive.northjersey.com/news/hudson-river-train-tunnel-hinges-on-pricey-plan-1.1211136 |archive-date=March 16, 2017 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/n-y-c-shrine-to-saint-complicates-amtrak-station-plan-1.1227946 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075801/http://www.northjersey.com/news/n-y-c-shrine-to-saint-complicates-amtrak-station-plan-1.1227946 |title=N.Y.C. shrine to saint complicates Amtrak station plan |last=Maag |first=Christopher |newspaper=The Record |date=January 19, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead}}

Other projects in the New York metropolitan area are planned as part of the NEC Next Generation High Speed Rail, including the northern and southern approaches to the Gateway Project.{{cite news |title=Critical Infrastructure Needs on the Northeast Corridor |publisher=Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission |date=January 2013 |url=http://www.nec-commission.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/necc_cin_20130123.pdf |access-date=January 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035021/http://www.nec-commission.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/necc_cin_20130123.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead}}

In May 2011, $450 million was dedicated to increase capacity on one of the NEC's busiest segments, a {{convert|24|mi|km|adj=on}} section between New Brunswick and Trenton, New Jersey. The planned six-year project will upgrade signals and electrical power systems, including catenary wires, to improve reliability, increase train speeds, and allow more frequent high-speed trains.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/amtrak_to_receive_800m_from_ca.html |title=Feds steer $450M to N.J. for high-speed rail |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=May 9, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2011 |newspaper=The Star Ledger |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210014216/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/amtrak_to_receive_800m_from_ca.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/05/amtrak_to_receive_nearly_450_m.html |title=Amtrak to receive nearly $450 million in high speed rail funding |last=Thorbourne |first=Ken |date=May 9, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2011 |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018025300/http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/05/amtrak_to_receive_nearly_450_m.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/floridas-rejected-rail-funds-flow-north/?scp=2&sq=Ray%20Lahood&st=cse |title=Florida's rejected rail funds flow north |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=May 9, 2011 |access-date=May 13, 2011 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304173053/https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/floridas-rejected-rail-funds-flow-north/?scp=2&sq=Ray%20Lahood&st=cse |url-status=live }} In July 2011, a bill passed by the House of Representatives threatened funding for the project and others announced at the same time,{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/house_of_representatives_passe_1.html |title=House passes bill that would divert money from electrical upgrades on N.J. Northeast |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=July 16, 2011 |website=The Star-Ledger |access-date=July 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916124727/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/house_of_representatives_passe_1.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.northeastbizalliance.org/blog/ |title=House Vote Jeopardizes Key Northeast Rail Projects |date=July 20, 2011 |website=Back on Track: Northeast |publisher=The Business Alliance for Northeast Mobility |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930021404/http://www.northeastbizalliance.org/blog/ |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 21, 2011 }} but the money was released the following month.{{Cite web |url=http://www.america2050.org/2011/08/us-dot-obligates-745-million-to-northeast-corridor-rail-projects.html |title=U.S. DOT Obligates $745 Million to Northeast Corridor Rail Projects |last=Schned |first=Dan |date=August 24, 2011 |publisher=America 2050 |access-date=November 24, 2011 |archive-date=February 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220101054/http://www.america2050.org/2011/08/us-dot-obligates-745-million-to-northeast-corridor-rail-projects.html |url-status=live }} The project, along with the purchase of new train sets, is expected to raise speeds on the segment to {{cvt|186|mph}}. In September 2012, Acela test trains hit {{cvt|165|mph}} over the segment.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/09/amtrak_train_breaks_us_speed_r.html |title=Amtrak train looks to break U.S. speed record in Northeast Corridor test |last=Frassinelli |first=Mike |date=September 25, 2012 |work=The Star-Ledger |access-date=December 17, 2012 |archive-date=December 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219175343/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/09/amtrak_train_breaks_us_speed_r.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Rebecca |title=Amtrak tests of Acela express train at 165 mph will not affect commuters |publisher=New Jersey Newsroom |date=September 26, 2013 |url=http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/science-updates/amtrak-runs-test-at-165-mph |access-date=November 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203015350/http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/science-updates/amtrak-runs-test-at-165-mph |archive-date=December 3, 2013 }} The track work is one of several projects planned for the "New Jersey Speedway" section of the NEC, which include a new station at North Brunswick, the Mid-Line Loop (a flyover for reversing train direction), and the re-construction of County Yard, to be done in coordination with NJT.{{Cite news |url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/high-performance/amtrak-sprints-toward-a-higher-speed-future.html?channel= |title=Amtrak sprints toward a higher speed future |last=Vantuono |first=William C |date=June 11, 2013 |work=Railway Age |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=January 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117041947/http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/high-performance/amtrak-sprints-toward-a-higher-speed-future.html?channel= |url-status=live }}

Over 750 LIRR, NJT, and Amtrak trains travel through the Harold Interlocking every day, causing frequent conflicts and delays. In May 2011, a $294.7 million federal grant was awarded to address congestion at the USA's busiest rail junction and part of the Sunnyside Yard in Queens. The work will allow for a dedicated track to the New York Connecting Railroad right of way for Amtrak trains arriving from or bound for New England, thus avoiding NJT and LIRR traffic.{{Cite web |url=http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=2358&Itemid=61 |title=Maloney Hails Federal Grant to Ease Amtrak Delays in NYC, Spur High-Speed Rail in NE Corridor – $294.7 Million Grant to Improve "Harold Interlocking", a Delay-Plagued Junction For Trains in the NE Corridor |date=May 9, 2011 |publisher=Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney |access-date=May 13, 2011 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928144150/http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=2358&Itemid=61 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/20110509/midtown/new-york-awarded-350-million-for-highspeed-rail-projects |title=New York Awarded $350 Million for High-Speed Rail Projects |last=Colvin |first=Jill |date=May 9, 2011 |newspaper=DNAinfo.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513083616/http://www.dnainfo.com/20110509/midtown/new-york-awarded-350-million-for-highspeed-rail-projects |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 13, 2011 }} A new flying junction will allow Amtrak trains to travel through the interlocking separately from LIRR and NJ Transit trains on their way to Sunnyside. Financing for the project was jeopardized when the House of Representatives voted in July 2011 to divert the money to unrelated projects, but funds were later obligated so that work on the project could begin in 2012. Some of the interlocking improvement projects are complete as of early 2023, while several other projects are projected for completion by late 2025.{{cite report |title=Milestone Report; Network Expansion—Regional Investments |url=http://dsearch.mta.info/ibi_apps/WFServlet?IBIF_ex=capitaldashboard_live/milestone_report_pf.fex&AGENCY=G&CATEGORY=All&PHASE=All&TIMELINE=T3&SCHEDSTAT=TL&CATDES=All%20Categories |access-date=February 8, 2023 |publisher=MTA}}

Amtrak applied in 2011 for $15 million for the environmental impact studies and preliminary engineering design to examine replacement options for the more than 100-year-old, low-level movable Pelham Bay Bridge over the Hutchinson River in the Bronx. The goal is for a new bridge to support expanded service and speeds up to 110 mph (177 km/h). In August 2022, the FRA awarded a $4.5 million grant to Amtrak for the bridge replacement project.{{cite web |title=Biden Administration, USDOT Announce Over $233 Million in Grants to Upgrade Intercity Passenger Rail Service |url=https://railroads.dot.gov/newsroom/press-releases/biden-administration-usdot-announce-over-233-million-grants-upgrade-0 |date=August 18, 2022 |publisher=FRA}} In June 2023, Amtrak applied for additional FRA grants to support multiple improvement projects in the Northeast Corridor, including additional work on the Pelham Bay Bridge project.{{cite web | last=Toll | first=Beth | title=Amtrak Applies for $7.3 Billion in Federal Grants to Advance Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Upgrades | website=Amtrak Media | date=June 5, 2023 | url=https://media.amtrak.com/2023/06/amtrak-applies-for-7-3-billion-in-federal-grants-to-advance-northeast-corridor-infrastructure-upgrades/ | access-date=August 24, 2023}}{{cite web | title=Amtrak applies for federal grants to expand services | website=Railway Gazette International | date=June 7, 2023 | url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/passenger/amtrak-applies-for-federal-grants-to-expand-services/64271.article | access-date=August 24, 2023}}

While not part of the Gateway Project, Amtrak's announcement included a proposal to extend the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) 7 Subway Extension three blocks east to New York Penn Station from the current station at 11th Avenue and 34th Street. This would provide service to the Javits Convention Center and a one-seat ride to Grand Central Terminal, the city's other major train terminal on the East Side of Manhattan at 42nd Street. Shortly before the introduction of Gateway, the New York City Economic Development Corporation voted to budget up to $250,000 for a feasibility study of a Hudson River tunnel for an extension to Secaucus Junction awarded to Parsons Brinckerhoff, a major engineering firm that had been working on the ARC tunnel.{{Cite web |url=http://transportationnation.org/2011/02/04/city-finally-puts-behind-subway-to-new-jersey/ |title=City finally puts $ behind subway to New Jersey |last=Bernstein |first=Andrea |date=February 4, 2011 |publisher=Transportation Nation |access-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-date=February 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206082530/http://transportationnation.org/2011/02/04/city-finally-puts-behind-subway-to-new-jersey/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/48185181/No-7-Extension-Executive-Committee-Item-Final-Draft-2 |title=No. 7 Line Extension to Secaucus Consultant Services |last=New York City Economic Development Commission |date=February 2, 2011 |publisher=scribd.com |format=PDF |access-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106102528/http://www.scribd.com/doc/48185181/No-7-Extension-Executive-Committee-Item-Final-Draft-2 |url-status=live }} In October 2011, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg reiterated his support for the NJ extension, estimated to cost around $10 billion and take ten years to complete, indicating that he would give approval by the end of his third term in 2013. Environmental-impact studies and a full business plan are required before the proposal proceeds.{{Cite web |title=N.Y. mayor Bloomberg supports extending No. 7 subway into N.J. |date=October 26, 2011 |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/new_york_mayor_michael_bloombe.html |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |access-date=November 22, 2011 |archive-date=November 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128053114/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/10/new_york_mayor_michael_bloombe.html |url-status=live }} It was likely that the two projects—Gateway and the subway extension—would have been in competition for funding.{{Cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |title=Obama expected to OK $15M for tunnel project between Secaucus and New York – Amtrak tunnel vs. extended subway to Secaucus showdown likely |date=November 19, 2011 |url=http://www.app.com/article/20111118/NJNEWS/311180048/Senate-allots-15M-for-study-on-rail-tunnel |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |access-date=November 23, 2011}}

In April 2012, citing budget considerations, the director of the MTA effectively scuttled the project and said that it was doubtful the extension would be built in the foreseeable future, suggesting that the Gateway Project was a much more likely solution to congestion at Hudson River crossings.{{Cite web |last=Haughney |first=Christine |title=MTA Chief rules out subway line to New Jersey |date=April 3, 2012 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/nyregion/transit-agency-chief-rules-out-new-york-new-jersey-subway.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=7%20subway%20extension&st=cse |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |access-date=April 4, 2012 |archive-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818071515/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/nyregion/transit-agency-chief-rules-out-new-york-new-jersey-subway.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=7%20subway%20extension&st=cse |url-status=live }} The report was released in April 2013.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/plan_to_extend_no_7_city_subwa.html |title=Plan to extend No. 7 subway from NYC to New Jersey could be back on track |last=Frasinelli |first=Mike |date=April 10, 2013 |work=The Star-Ledger |access-date=April 10, 2013 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215175828/https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/plan_to_extend_no_7_city_subwa.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/NY_No_7_Subway_to_Secaucus.html |title=Report: Extending NY No. 7 subway line to Secaucus would accommodate commuter demand |last=Rouse |first=Karen |date=April 10, 2013 |work=The Record |access-date=April 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413011350/http://www.northjersey.com/news/NY_No_7_Subway_to_Secaucus.html |archive-date=April 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }} In a November 2013 Daily News opinion article, the president of the Real Estate Board of New York and the chairman of Edison Properties called for the line to be extended to Secaucus in tunnels to be shared with the Gateway Project.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/extend-7-train-secaucus-article-1.1504464 |title=Let's extend the 7 train to Secaucus After the far West Side, the next stop on the 7 should be across the river |last1=Gottesman |first1=Jerry |date=November 4, 2013 |work=Daily News |access-date=November 4, 2013 |last2=Spinola |first2=Steven |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201160413/https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/extend-7-train-secaucus-article-1.1504464 |url-status=live }} In November 2013, the New Jersey Assembly passed a Resolution 168{{Cite web |url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/AR/168_I1.PDF |title=AN ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION supporting the extension of the New York City IRT Flushing Line into the State of New Jersey. |date=May 13, 2013 |website=ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 168 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 215th LEGISLATURE |publisher=New Jersey Legislature |access-date=November 26, 2013 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919135250/https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/AR/168_I1.PDF |url-status=dead}} supporting the extension of the line to Hoboken and Secaucus.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/11/no_7_expansion.html#incart_river_default |title=Committee green lights expansion of NYC subway to Hoboken |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |date=November 26, 2013 |website=The Star-Ledger |access-date=November 26, 2013 |archive-date=November 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105213817/https://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/11/no_7_expansion.html#incart_river_default |url-status=live }}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel – freight rail project proposed in 1993
• Fehmarn Belt fixed link – the world's longest road and rail tunnel
• High-speed rail in the United States
• Infrastructure policy of Donald Trump
• List of fixed crossings of the North River (Hudson River)
• List of bridges, tunnels, and cuts in Hudson County, New Jersey
• List of bridges and tunnels in New York City

{{div col end}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite web |title=What One Really Expensive Tunnel Means to U.S. Train Travel |website=Next City |date=April 4, 2016 |url=https://nextcity.org/features/view/gateway-tunnel-project-hudson-river-train-tunnel-amtrak-new-york-jersey |access-date=April 21, 2017}}
• {{cite web |last=Young |first=Elise |title=Amtrak CEO Says New York City-Area Railroad Troubles Will Get Worse |website=Bloomberg |date=April 20, 2017 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-20/amtrak-ceo-says-new-york-city-area-railroad-troubles-will-worsen |access-date=April 21, 2017}}

{{Attached KML}}

• {{Official website|www.gatewayprogram.org}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_hKH7aHNMY Gateway Tunnel Video]. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. October 19, 2018. (5:23)

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