PlanNYC: Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel News

Freight Tunnel Study Initiated

2007-10-18 00:00:00

The Port Authority agreed to study the feasibility of a freight rail tunnel connecting Brooklyn and New Jersey under the New York Harbor. Congressman Jerry Nadler of New York has pushed the project for many years as a solution to reducing freight traffic that uses Manhattan as a crossover to Long Island. Mayor Bloomberg has recently pulled his support for the project. $100 million from the federal government will be used to fund the study.

Port Authority Studies Freight Movement Improvement

2007-10-18 00:00:00

In response to the increased congestion along Atlantic Avenue, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is expected to approve $100 million to study the Cross-Harbor freight tunnel option. The railroad tunnel would connect to the New York and Atlantic freight railroad, which passes through Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Midwood, Flatbush and East New York.

Bloomberg Reconsiders Stance on Cross Harbor Tunnel

2007-07-10 00:00:00

Mayor Bloomberg has agreed to meet with U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler regarding the Cross Harbor Tunnel proposal. Previously opposed to the idea, Bloomberg is now changing his stance and has said �It�s not the worst idea.�

Using Public-Private Partnerships to Finance State Projects

2007-02-18 00:00:00

Governor Spitzer's expressed willingness to create more public-private partnerships has inspired a movement among investment bankers to propose buying state assets to finance those projects. So far, discussions have occurred between private firms and government agencies, like the Thruway Authority, the Empire State Development Corporation, the Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. Private ownership of public infrastructure has grown nationally in recent years, as states like Illinois, Indiana, and California have sold their toll roads to the private sector. Proponents believe that public-private partnerships improve project efficiency and quality, while opponents fear that such deals exclude the public and the ability to change course. Only the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has not entered into discussions.

Increased Truck Traffic Expected to Add to Congestion

2007-01-15 00:00:00

Truck traffic is estimated to have increased more than 30% since 1998 and is predicted to nearly double again by 2020 in certain locations, particularly Staten Island. Congressmen Weiner has proposed four ideas to help improve congestion in the future, including increased tolls for trucks in peak traffic hours, construction of the proposed cross-harbor freight tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan.

NY Transportation Needs Have Good Prospects in New Congress

2006-11-14 00:00:00

The recent ascension of powerful New York elected officials in the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) and Representative Jerry Nadler (D-Manhattan), bodes well for major transportation projects that have thus far received little federal funding. In particular, Schumer will seek added funds for the completion of the Second Avenue subway and the linking of the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal. Representative Nadler will focus on the cross-harbor freight tunnel between Brooklyn and either New Jersey or Staten Island.

Eliot Spitzer On Transportation

2006-08-23 15:00:00

Gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer wants to make transportation his number one priority if elected to office. His top three projects are the 2nd Ave Subway, the LIRR connection at Grand Central Terminal, and the replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The most likely projects to not get pushed through by Spitzer is the downtown JFK rail link and the cross harbor freight tunnel. The Hudson Rail Yards negotiations have already been commented on by Spitzer but he would like to make some changes to the deal�s proceedings.

Mayor accused of flip-flop on harbor tunnel

2005-03-10 00:00:00

At a civic meeting in Queens, the Mayor told the audience he opposed the freight tunnel due to its neighborhood impacts. Democratic mayoral candidates, C. Virginia Fields and Gifford Miller, who support the tunnel plan, say the mayor is just politicking in this election year.

Cross harbor rail freight tunnel: real solutions vs. doomsday scenario

2005-02-10 00:00:00

Representative Jerrold Nadler makes his case for the freight tunnel in response to a recent column by Councilman Simcha Felder. LINK [Jewish Press]

Editorial: Digging a new tunnel the right way

2005-01-22 00:00:00

A rail freight tunnel from New Jersey to Long Island would lower the cost of freight service, lower truck-related air pollution, reduce highway congestion and support thousands of new jobs. LINK [New York Daily News]

Official Site of the Cross Harbor Freight Movement Project

2004-09-01 00:00:00

This is the official site of the Cross Harbor Freight Movement Project, a joint venture sponsored by New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). You can find a project overview, Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and a set of frequently asked questions about the project. LINK