NY, NJ congressmen seek 'doomsday' plan for rail tunnel failure

Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Rep. Peter King are pushing for a "doomsday" plan in case the century-old rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York has a major failure.

News 12 Staff

Mar 11, 2019, 9:29 PM

Updated 1,878 days ago

Share:

NY, NJ congressmen seek 'doomsday' plan for rail tunnel failure
New Jersey Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer and New York Republican Rep. Peter King are pushing for a "doomsday" plan in case the century-old rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York has a major failure.
The congressmen announced a bill Monday at New York's Penn Station to call for a contingency plan in the event of a disaster.
About 200,000 passengers pass through the tunnel each day. The tunnel is 110 years old and was badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy. Amtrak officials say that one of the tubes will need to be closed for repair within the next five years.
Transportation experts estimate if one of the two tubes were to be shut down, peak train service would be reduced by 75 percent.
"If just one tunnel comes down we go from 24 trains an hour to six trains an hour going in and out. That would devastate the economy,” Gottheimer said.
The Federal Railroad Administration estimates if the entire tunnel were to close for one day, it would cost nearly $100 million in lost economic activity and productivity.
There are plans for a new rail tunnel – the Gateway Project. King says that President Donald Trump initially agreed in 2017 to authorize the $13 billion project. But the plan has been mired in a dispute between both states and the federal government over funding. New York and New Jersey have agreed to pay for half of the tunnel.
A study by the Regional Plan Association found that there could be some serious ramifications if a tunnel goes down. The study found that the reduced trail service would lead to more cars on the roads, and through the Lincoln and Holland tunnels. This could mean longer commutes and heavier traffic into and out of New York City.
It could also have an impact on townships with train stations. The study found that property values could go down and towns could see less tax revenue as a result.
The bill asks for a contingency plan from the Department of Transportation within 60 days.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
2:28
Stony Brook University officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

Stony Brook University officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

2:00
Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

1:49
‘I am troubled by it.’ Students express mixed emotions following pro-Palestinian protest, arrests on Stony Brook University campus

‘I am troubled by it.’ Students express mixed emotions following pro-Palestinian protest, arrests on Stony Brook University campus

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

1:51
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:25
Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

1:37
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:13
School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

1:51
Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments