Nation’s Top Federal Transit Official Announces $1.35 Billion Agreement to Immediately Begin Work on Access to the Region’s Core Project

Agreement signals FTA’s intent to provide $3 billion toward project

Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff today announced that his agency will make a “down payment” toward an eventual commitment of $3.0 billion by approving a $1.35 billion Early Systems Work Agreement (ESWA) to immediately commence work on the Access to the Region’s Core.  The Agreement includes $650 million in Federal funds, including funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, matched by an equal amount of local funding.

“This project has been talked about for decades.  Because of New Jersey’s  leadership and President Obama’s recovery agenda, today the talk stops and the construction begins,” Rogoff said. “The Obama Administration is committed to being a full partner in this historic investment.  It will put thousands of people to work.  It will improve the lives of many thousands more by shortening their commute.” 

Rogoff said that today’s announcement, which he made today with Gov. Jon Corzine and Senators Lautenberg, Menendez and other state and local officials signals the Administration’s firm intent to enter into a full funding grant agreement to provide $3.0 billion in discretionary FTA New Starts funds for the $8.7 billion project. The nine-mile commuter rail extension will consist of two new tunnels under the Hudson River, new rail tracks between Secaucus Junction and New York’s Penn Station, and a new rail station underneath 34th Street in midtown Manhattan. 

This mega transit project will allow NJ TRANSIT to double rail service capacity into Manhattan, free up capacity for Amtrak, and reduce travel times and crowding on trains and at Penn Station. 

“This initial $1.35 billion agreement represents the largest amount the FTA has ever committed for a project at this phase,” Rogoff said, adding that the federal New Starts program commitment of $3 billion will also be the largest in the 33-year history of the New Starts program.

The ESWA will help NJ TRANSIT meet key milestones and keep the project on schedule and within budget by allowing the immediate use of federal and local funds for tunneling and related construction work. 

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