Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Chris Christie

Chris Christie Expected to Kill ARC Transit Tunnel

Gov. Chris Christie is expected to kill the critical ARC transit tunnel project, reports say. Photo: NJ.com.
Gov. Chris Christie is expected to kill the critical ARC transit tunnel project, reports say. Photo: NJ.com.

The largest federal transit investment in American history is on its deathbed, reports Andrea Bernstein at Transportation Nation. Three sources have told Bernstein that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is ready to pull the plug on the plan to double rail capacity under the Hudson River this week, though Christie denies his mind is made up.

We've already outlined just how important this project is to the future of New Jersey and how shortsighted this decision would be for the Christie administration, so with this devastating news, the only thing we can do is look forward.

First, the predictable stuff: If ARC dies, New Jersey will keep its $2.7 billion share of project funds, which Christie is expected to use to patch up the state's Transportation Trust Fund for a couple of years so that he doesn't have to raise the gas tax to pay for the state's roads. The Port Authority will recoup its $3 billion, some of which will end up back in New Jersey and some in New York. The authority's capital plan currently calls for no new pieces of infrastructure, so it's possible this money will fund necessary repairs on existing bridges and tunnels.

The wildcard is where the Federal Transit Administration's $3 billion winds up. When New York City activists defeated the Westway highway project 25 years ago, House Speaker Tip O'Neill managed to capture a large share of its funding for Boston's Big Dig. The $350 million that US DOT offered New York to help implement congestion pricing in 2008 almost ended up paying for a Chicago BRT system, though Chicago ultimately balked as well.

Who will get the billions of dollars that Christie is on the verge of passing up? Place your bets -- or vent your anger -- in the comments.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Crossing the T’s: State Finally Signs Federal Agreement To Start Congestion Pricing

She can't back out this time — though there still are some court hurdles to leap.

November 22, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: City of Yes Edition

There was only one story yesterday: The embattled mayor succeeded in passing what might become the signature initiative of his one term. But there was other news, too.

November 22, 2024

Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’

The City Council took a crucial step towards passing City of Yes, but it also let low density areas opt out of much of the plan.

November 22, 2024

Five Ways New NYPD Boss Jessica Tisch Can Fix Our Dangerous Streets

If the Sanitation Commissioner wants to use her new position to make city streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, here's where she can start.

November 21, 2024
See all posts