N.J. & N.Y.
Senators support new Trans-Hudson rail tunnel
(Washington,
D.C). - United States Senators from New Jersey and New
York today joined to express support for the Trans-Hudson Express
(THE) Tunnel Project.
In
a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, Senators
Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Hillary Clinton
(D-NY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) said the new rail tunnel is
needed to meet the region's increasing demand for commuter rail
service and keep the economy growing.
Over
the past 20 years, daily commuter rail trips between New Jersey
and New York City have doubled, but the demand is hitting a bottleneck
in the current 100-year old, two-track passenger tunnel under
the Hudson River.
"This
tunnel will keep commuters moving and keep our region's economy
strong," said Senator Lautenberg. "It will also make us less vulnerable
to an accident or terrorist attack."
"The
Trans-Hudson Tunnel would provide critical upgrades to our mass
transit system and would fuel the continued expansion of our region's
economic growth," said Senator Menendez.
"Expanding
transportation capacity for our region is essential as traffic
increases in the New York and New Jersey areas," said Senator
Clinton. "This is an important project for all those moving through
New York, and the region, and I support going forward with the
proposal to address increased economic and transportation capacity
in the region."
"As
the Hudson Valley grows, we need to keep it moving. We can give
Hudson Valley Commuters back 25 minutes a day by providing a one-seat
ride between the Hudson Valley and mid-town Manhattan. It will
not only improve traffic flow, but will improve overall quality
of life," Senator Schumer said. "The tunnel and new 34th Street
station will be a shot in the arm for West Side Redevelopment
and bring thousands more commuters and visitors in to Midtown
every day."
