Gateway Development Commission Sues Trump Administration Over Frozen Hudson River Tunnel Funding Amid Thousands of Job Losses
The $16 billion tunnel project that aims to replace the aging Hudson River rail tunnels is on the brink of collapse after the Trump administration's decision to freeze federal funding, sparking a lawsuit by the Gateway commission against the federal government.
According to the lawsuit filed in Federal Claims Court, the commission needs approximately $200 million in federal funds to continue construction work, which could force the project to halt operations as early as this Friday. This stoppage would not only result in thousands of people losing their jobs but also leave "unfinished work sites with massive holes in the ground," according to the lawsuit.
Gateway officials claim that they have submitted all required documents for a review of the commission's policies requiring a certain percentage of contracts to go to disadvantaged businesses, but the Trump administration has been inconsistent and arbitrary in its actions. In October, White House officials halted funding for the tunnel project without providing clear justification, stating that this was necessary after President Trump announced a new review process.
However, according to Gateway leaders, they have fulfilled all requested requirements, and there is no need for further review. Trump administration officials suggested that the funds would only be restored if Democrats fully fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, effectively holding up progress on the project.
The Gateway commission argues that the U.S. Department of Transportation has unlawfully withheld federal funding in violation of grant terms. If the project were to shut down entirely, an estimated 11,000 union workers could lose their jobs. In addition, Gateway would need to spend around $15 million to $20 million per month to secure existing work sites and relocate heavy equipment.
The current Hudson River tunnels are over 116 years old and suffered significant damage during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Under the current plans, these aging tubes will not be repaired until the new tunnels open for service in 2035. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has expressed her support for the lawsuit, stating that she is committed to holding the Trump administration accountable.
Senator Chuck Schumer from New York has also condemned President Trump's actions, pointing out that halting the project would harm trade union workers who voted for him. He emphasizes that this funding was provided by Congress and cannot be unilaterally withheld by the administration.
The $16 billion tunnel project that aims to replace the aging Hudson River rail tunnels is on the brink of collapse after the Trump administration's decision to freeze federal funding, sparking a lawsuit by the Gateway commission against the federal government.
According to the lawsuit filed in Federal Claims Court, the commission needs approximately $200 million in federal funds to continue construction work, which could force the project to halt operations as early as this Friday. This stoppage would not only result in thousands of people losing their jobs but also leave "unfinished work sites with massive holes in the ground," according to the lawsuit.
Gateway officials claim that they have submitted all required documents for a review of the commission's policies requiring a certain percentage of contracts to go to disadvantaged businesses, but the Trump administration has been inconsistent and arbitrary in its actions. In October, White House officials halted funding for the tunnel project without providing clear justification, stating that this was necessary after President Trump announced a new review process.
However, according to Gateway leaders, they have fulfilled all requested requirements, and there is no need for further review. Trump administration officials suggested that the funds would only be restored if Democrats fully fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, effectively holding up progress on the project.
The Gateway commission argues that the U.S. Department of Transportation has unlawfully withheld federal funding in violation of grant terms. If the project were to shut down entirely, an estimated 11,000 union workers could lose their jobs. In addition, Gateway would need to spend around $15 million to $20 million per month to secure existing work sites and relocate heavy equipment.
The current Hudson River tunnels are over 116 years old and suffered significant damage during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Under the current plans, these aging tubes will not be repaired until the new tunnels open for service in 2035. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has expressed her support for the lawsuit, stating that she is committed to holding the Trump administration accountable.
Senator Chuck Schumer from New York has also condemned President Trump's actions, pointing out that halting the project would harm trade union workers who voted for him. He emphasizes that this funding was provided by Congress and cannot be unilaterally withheld by the administration.
Thousands of people are gonna lose their jobs because of this 
... like what's the point of even having a plan if you're just gonna freeze all funding at the last minute? 
It's not fair to those workers who've already put in so much time and effort into the project. And it's crazy that the admin is trying to hold up progress on the tunnel just cuz they didn't get their way 
. The fact that they're gonna have to spend millions a month just to keep the existing sites open... ugh, it's just not right 
.
The fact that thousands of workers are at risk and the project is on the brink of collapse... it's a disaster waiting to happen. I don't think it's fair that the Trump administration is basically holding out for more funding in exchange for unfreezing the money 
. It's like they're playing with people's livelihoods here... 
The Trump admin is really messing up a lot of things right now... 
Like, what's with all these job losses? Thousands of people are gonna lose their jobs because of some funding freeze 
. I mean, come on! The Gateway commission has done everything they're supposed to do, but still no funds 
. And why are they holding up progress if Democrats fund DHS? That's just not right 
, and we should be supporting them, not holding them hostage.
We need our leaders to act with some sense and not just be all like "oh, I'll unfreeze the funds when I feel like it."
. And what really gets me is that it's all because of some arbitrary review process 
. Can't they see how this is affecting the community? It's like Trump thinks he can just pull a fast one on people and get away with it 
. Newsflash, Trump: we're watching you 
.
Mikie Sherrill is totally right to speak out about this tho 
thousands of workers could lose their jobs if this project shuts down entirely. It's like they say - "you can't have your cake and eat it too"... but in this case, the workers are on the line 
... like, what's the logic behind halting funding just because democrats don't fund homeland security? seems like a classic case of "if you can't get what you want, hold up the whole thing" 
WE NEED TO KNOW WHY THEY'RE BEHIND THIS AND WHAT KIND OF POLITICAL STUFF IS GOING ON HERE. 
what's next? the gov't gonna pull the plug on every single project and just let people walk off their jobs? 
the fact that they're not even being repaired until the new ones open in 2035 is just ridiculous 
and meanwhile, people's lives are being put on hold because of some bureaucratic red tape 
