Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Cuomo, like Christie before, is correct. The tunnels are vital for the Boston-DC Amtrak line, so funding should not be just NY and NJ.
True, but it is NYC and NJ corridor commuters who stand to benefit greatly as well.
You just know if Amtrak or a private entity builds these tunnels then turns around and charges NY and NJ usage fees appropriate to service the debt (and make a profit) the latter two will cry poor mouth.
As things stand the federal government has provided major funding for all three huge transit projects currently going on in NYC; Farley post office conversion, East Side Access for the LIRR and Second Avenue Subway. On the other side of the River NJT IIRC received or will a good amount of funds for the Lackawanna Cut-off project. Both NYC and NJT have other projects in future (such as funding for the next phase of the SAS) that they surely will be hitting the Feds for a touch.
Here is the thing; rightly or wrongly ever since the fiscal mess that was the Big Dig in Boston large infrastructure projects have a bad name with the federal government and especially Congress. The latter in particular has revised things so never again will the federal government be caught with it's pants down funding projects that go vastly over budget and or have other issues. Result is local governments are now spooked. No governor and or elected official wants their name on something that turns out to be like the "Big Dig" regardless of the merits whatever scheme may have.
Being as all this may neither New York nor New Jersey has several billion each to spare, for that matter neither does Amtrak. But sooner or later new tunnels will be required. Both tubes were badly damaged by Super Storm Sandy and quite frankly are simply beyond their shelf date.
True, but it is NYC and NJ corridor commuters who stand to benefit greatly as well.
This is correct. While Cuomo and Christie have a point that the federal gov't has a moral obligation to co-fund the tunnel, the reality on the ground is that tens of thousands of NJ commuters whose livelihoods depend on NYC are being held hostage to poor NJT service. And the feds know this, which is why they can afford to drag their feet while NJ commuters suffer.
If anything, Christie, Cuomo and Blasio need to get together and see how they can work around the problem. Or maybe Christie can on his own entice more businesses to relocate to NJ.
This is correct. While Cuomo and Christie have a point that the federal gov't has a moral obligation to co-fund the tunnel, the reality on the ground is that tens of thousands of NJ commuters whose livelihoods depend on NYC are being held hostage to poor NJT service. And the feds know this, which is why they can afford to drag their feet while NJ commuters suffer.
If anything, Christie, Cuomo and Blasio need to get together and see how they can work around the problem. Or maybe Christie can on his own entice more businesses to relocate to NJ.
Many residents are also packing up or seriously considering doing so within a given period of time.
One of the top reasons for both camps is the high taxation rate in New Jersey. Have both friends and family in NJ and all you hear is how they are getting killed with taxes. Those with kids seem to accept their lot for sake of the children, but once their kids get into college or graduate they are seriously planning on leaving.
New Jersey, New York City and New York State all have very high debt loads. To issue debt (bonds) would have to go through a public referendum for each or all IIRC and you can bet absent those affected directly (commuters and or their supporters) there would be little love for adding more debt.
That leaves the logical choice for such a project, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. However it already has hands full dealing with several scandals and funding various projects including the Bayonne Bridge rebuild/raising.
Cuomo is pushing forward with rebuilding LaGuardia airport at a cost of 4 billion while a new series of Hudson River tunnels would cost around 14 billion.
The governor is pushing NYS's congressional delegation to act; he may have some success there. Lord knows Charles Schumer has never come upon a New York cause that couldn't be solved by shoveling money form Washington towards it. Given that Senator Schumer is the odds on senate Majority (or minority) leader in 2016 after the incumbent leaves Cuomo may get his way after all.
Hence their public officials need to seriously rethink how they envision the future of their state. Maybe the practice of abrogating many jobs to NYC is no longer feasible, or they can develop alternate means of transportation like expanded ferry service to NYC with passengers paying for the full cost. One way or another, something has to give and rightly or wrongly, the onus will be on the residents of NJ.
and especially Congress. The latter in particular has revised things so
never again will the federal government be caught with it's pants down funding
projects that go vastly over budget and or have other issues.
Unless it is a Defense Department project and the money is being funneled to a corporation that has been generous with political contributions.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
