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

Christie Rewrites ARC History: My Wife Made Me Do It

Did NJ First Lady Mary Pat Christie kill the ARC tunnel? Or was it (still) that her husband wouldn't raise the gas tax? Photo: State of NJ.
Did NJ First Lady Mary Pat Christie kill the ARC tunnel? Or was it (still) that her husband wouldn't raise the gas tax? Photo: State of NJ.

Having killed the badly-needed ARC tunnel not once but twice, you'd think that Governor Chris Christie would at least have the decency to let the issue go. But no. He's got a whole new reason for opposing it. Now, apparently, the seed of the ARC's destruction came from Christie's wife Mary Pat, who was no fan of the deep-underground Midtown terminal.

"The lobbying to me on this one was from [the first lady]," Christie said. "She's, like, 'So this thing's going 10 stories under Macy's, [and] then I gotta go back up and I gotta walk over to Penn Station. I get on a subway. . .'"

The story is a new one for Christie, but then, he probably needs one. While deliberating on ARC's fate earlier this fall, Christie's argument was always that the state couldn't afford any cost overruns. But the Tri-State Transportation Campaign caught Christie signing off on billions in borrowing for two highway widenings that had tripled in price over just five years. And Sen. Frank Lautenberg revealed that the feds had offered to add more funds and set up a public-private partnership that would bear the burden of cost overruns.

Compared to the canard of fiscal responsibility, I suppose the new argument looks pretty good.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Astoria to NYPD: Stop These Excessive Police Chases

The NYPD's 114th Precinct must eliminate "unnecessary" police chases through mostly residential Astoria because they have "dramatically reduced" public safety with very little upside, a Queens community board said last week.

December 23, 2024

Monday’s Headlines: Meeting Across The River Edition

Garden State transit advocates implored New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to do the right thing. Plus more news.

December 23, 2024

OPINION: Can Regional Governance Break New York Out of Its Constant State of Transit Emergency?

The New York region needs to fundamentally change the way it governs its transit system, our contributor writes.

December 20, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: ‘So, How Was Your Day?’ Edition

You didn't come here to find out about yesterday's crime news. Instead, here's the livable streets news!

December 20, 2024

Albany Should Use ‘Underutilized’ Transit Fund For LIRR, Metro-North Discounts: Report

An "underutilized" pot of state transportation funds could help lure more New York City residents onto the LIRR and Metro-North, according to a new report.

December 19, 2024
See all posts