by electricron
Backshophoss wrote: ↑Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:47 am Both Portal and Gateway should be considered as 1 project,combined would increase thruput and Capy in 1 shot.Why? The Portal Bridge is entirely within New Jersey, while the Gateway tunnels crosses the border between New Jersey and New York. Their EIS studies, planning and public discussions to date have been separately handled, joining the two individual projects together will probably effect how the funding is divided between the two states and the federal government, and will also probably delay completing the EIS process for years.
The major funding problem is not that the three governments can afford to build both projects, it is they can not afford to do both at the same time. NJ needs to first finish the Portal Bridge, NY needs to first finish the Moynihan Station redo. Then both states will have subsequent funding available for the new Gateway tunnels. The federal government will eventually help fund all three projects.
When setting funding priorities, one has to look at whether each project can be effectively used, and aligned them for best use. The bridge is replacing an existing bridge, it can be used immediately upon completion. The new Gateway tunnels will be adding capacity, the additional capacity can not be used immediately - it requires expansion of Pennsylvania Station (Moynihan completion). The additional capacity caused by Moynihan completion can be used by LIRR and Amtrak, NJT will have to wait until the Gateway tunnels are built and the East River tunnels are refurbished before using the additional capacity created by Moynihan. Step by step, the work being completed in the proper order is important - otherwise wasting additional capacity when completed in the wrong order. Whereas I agree completing all at the same time would be ideal - what is the chances that will ever happen? Besides, the money to do all at the same time does not exist.