NJT seeks tunnel project funds for equipment
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefNew Jersey Transit, following the cancellation of its Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) project, has asked a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) to authorize the diversion of $75 million in federal funding to pay for 100 additional multilevel passenger cars.
NJT seeks authorization from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the MPO covering 13 northern New Jersey counties, to use money provided by the Federal Highway Administration originally for the ARC project, which was to add two rail tunnels under the Hudson River paralleling Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. FHWA was supplying up to $1 billion for the project, since canceled by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, through its Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program.
NJTPA’s project prioritization committee expected to make a recommendation to the full board before the NJTPA board holds it next meeting, scheduled for Jan. 10.
NJT’s Board of Directors approved the purchase of 100 multilevel cars from Bombardier Transportation last July.
