The $6.8 billion federal grant will fund the construction of a new tunnel at a key crossing under the Hudson River to supplement and replace tunnels damaged in Hurricane Sandy.
The new Gateway tunnel linking Manhattan and New Jersey received a boost this week in the form of federal funding that will contribute roughly $6.88 billion to the project’s estimated $16 billion total, writes Patrick McGeehan in The New York Times.
“The two-tube tunnel is part of Gateway, a massive infrastructure project that is widely considered the most important in the country. The new tunnel would supplement a troublesome pair of single-track tunnels that opened in 1910 and have been steadily deteriorating since Hurricane Sandy flooded them with salt water in 2012.”
Once the new tunnel is operational, Amtrak plans to close the existing tunnels to repair damage from Hurricane Sandy. “If one of the existing tracks had to be closed before the new tunnel is available, train capacity between Penn Station and places west of the Hudson would be cut by 75 percent during rush hours, according to Amtrak,” which would have a major impact on regional mobility and economic activity.
Unlike previous New York-to-New Jersey tunnel projects, the new tunnel has support from officials at all levels of government.
FULL STORY: Hudson Tunnel Project to Get $6.9 Billion in Largest U.S. Transit Grant
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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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