September 11, 2023 – The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) is taking two major steps forward to move the Hudson Tunnel Project from dream to reality.

At its meeting today, the GDC awarded the construction and construction management contracts for the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Relocation Project and entered into a Partnership Agreement with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey for the tunnel boring and framing.

Awarding the construction and construction management contracts for the Tonnelle Avenue project to Alliance for Action members Conti Construction and Naik Consulting Group means the Hudson Tunnel Project building can begin this fall.

The Partnership agreement will help accelerate and expedite construction of two new rail tunnels and the rehabilitation of the two existing ones. The $16 billion project received a major boost earlier this summer when the Commission and federal officials announced a $6.88 billion grant.

Alliance for Action President Jerry Keenan said, “This is a great day and a terrific step forward for our future. Our team is certain our friends at Conti and Naik will deliver their very best on these projects, which will improve access to New York City for our entire region.”

Keenan was asked by the Commission to prepare remarks for the announcement.

Click this link to watch his virtual testimony at today’s GDC meeting.

The two current Northeast Corridor tracks in the tunnel between Newark, N.J., and Penn Station, New York, carry over 200,000 Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT passenger trips daily. Unfortunately, the tracks are old and decaying.  Replacing and repairing them will provide safer, more reliable, more resilient and more efficient transportation.  It will also create tens of thousands of jobs and spur billions in economic activity.

“Construction and completion of the Gateway Project can’t happen soon enough,” Keenan said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime project that will transform our region and provide economic opportunities, great jobs and access to New York.”

Click the image above to view Jerry Keenan’s testimony.