Assemblywoman addressed service problems that have created commuting nightmare for NJ Transit commuters & fate of Gateway Tunnel given lack of infrastructure funding in proposed federal budget
(TRENTON) – Assemblywoman Elizabeth Maher Muoio (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) on Wednesday expressed concerns about the impact of the recent train derailment on NJ Transit commuters, and the lack of infrastructure funding in the proposed federal budget, which could hamper the Gateway Tunnel project and efforts to prevent further inconveniences for commuters.
“This NJ Transit debacle continues to wreak havoc on the lives of our commuters, their families and on the thousands of businesses that depend upon an available and accessible workforce. We need to ensure that NJ Transit receives the funding it needs to provide safe and timely service, and that the funds are actually spent on maintenance and capital improvements, not transferred to plug budget holes.
“If the governor had not axed the ARC tunnel project, which was scheduled to open in 2018, this would not be an issue. Now the Gateway Tunnel project is under threat. President Trump’s proposed federal budget has no funding for infrastructure projects, which would seriously hamper the project.
“We cannot afford to lose another tunnel project.
“I sincerely hope the Christie administration has a better plan than waiting to see what happens with the federal budget. Hoping for the best, under the Trump administration, is not an option.”