October 8, 2010
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today released the following statement on the planned mass transit tunnel across the Hudson River:
"The reason this tunnel has a fighting chance at survival is because the governor giving up on it seemed like a rash and unproductive decision to most New Jersey residents. New Jersey taxpayers don't want to own a $600 million Hole to Nowhere. They'd rather have a fully functioning tunnel that brings relief to their commutes, creates tens of thousands of jobs and is supported by a major, $3 billion investment from the federal government.
"As I said when the governor initially cancelled the tunnel, taking a deep breath and working cooperatively with all parties to control costs, look at options and build the tunnel is the best way forward for New Jersey's commuters, workers and taxpayers. It didn't make much sense that the governor would lament the costs of the tunnel when his administration is in control of those costs and when Recovery Act transportation projects are coming in well under budget. I hope these two weeks are more than window-dressing and will constitute a good faith effort to get the tunnel built once and for all, to create tens of thousands of jobs, protect the environment and ease commutes."