A new tunnel can shore up a heavily used route
Manhattan: We agree with the Daily News editorial “Marc Molinaro’s mission” (Oct. 14) that Federal Transit Administrator Molinaro and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have significantly improved transparency by publicly sharing project oversight reports on mega projects like Gateway’s Hudson River tunnel. We also applaud their focus — and the Gateway Development Commission’s — on saving millions, if not billions, by moving such projects more quickly.
We differ, however, with the editorial’s arguments about the benefits of the new tunnel and its alignment. For more than 115 years, the two existing Hudson River tubes have been a chokepoint at the center of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor service between Boston and Washington. Their age — and extensive saltwater flooding damage they sustained from Superstorm Sandy, which accelerated their deterioration — portend infrastructure failures that could cripple East Coast train service. That could cost the region billions in economic activity.
The new two-tube tunnel will not only provide redundancy similar to that provided by the four Amtrak tubes under the East River on the other side of Manhattan, but also promise additional Penn Station capacity in the future.
The second point is that the project is more in sync with Amtrak’s Penn Station Redevelopment project now that the USDOT and Amtrak have brought internationally renowned transit and rail expert Andy Byford aboard. It is now focused on improving both passenger and train capacities “within the existing train bed,” which makes assumptions about the new tunnel’s ultimate alignment premature. Robert G. Wessels, executive director, General Contractors Association of New York
Unprincipled officials
Brooklyn: Traditional Republican Party principles include states’ rights, small government and promoting economic growth in America. There’s something very wrong when President Trump gleefully announces that he’s canceling federal funding for the Gateway Tunnel project just to spite Sen. Chuck Schumer. This project is vital to shore up crumbling infrastructure damaged by Superstorm Sandy that the entire Northeast Corridor — and in turn, the entire U.S. economy — relies upon. That’s not to mention the thousands of jobs set to be created to do this infrastructure improvement work. Why is the Republican Party still in lockstep with Trump when he prioritizes personal vendettas over job creation, economic growth and the safety of millions of Americans who travel this route daily? How do elected Republican officials in Congress manage the mental gymnastics to convince themselves that his petty whims align with party principles? Grow a spine and stand up for your values! Katherine Raymond
Aristocratic crap
Oakland Gardens: We are heading into another week of a government shutdown. Many of our fellow Americans who were government employees will not be receiving a check that will help them feed their families, pay the rent, pay medical bills, and in some cases, help them get to a job they are still required to go to. There was a queen who was told that her people had no bread and her answer was, “Let them eat cake.” Leadership starts from the top. So, Mr. President, instead of talking about layoffs, how about talking about leading to a resolution of this shutdown? Your insensitivity toward the people of this country and people who are impacted by this shutdown is showing while you are eating cake. Zane Tenenbaum
Above the fray
Breezy Point: What’s wrong with this picture? Americans are going without paychecks and those morons in Congress are still getting paid. Outrageous! Regina Mangan
Purse-snatcher
Manhattan: I’m deeply alarmed (unfortunately, a regular sentiment these days) by Trump’s cutting of funding mandated by Congress. Does anyone else remember quaint American traditions from high school history class, like separation of powers and co-equal branches of government? Trump wasn’t the only person elected last November — so were a third of senators and all the members of the House, which is supposed to hold the purse strings. Yet, the Trump administration has been recklessly slashing congressionally approved spending all year. Emboldened by the lack of action from our leaders, Trump thinks he should be able to direct the funds in whatever way he likes. One of his latest outrages was trying to stop funding for NYC’s anti-terrorism efforts at the same time that he’s sending $40 billion to bail out his pal in Argentina. Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries must keep the Democratic Party unified and not accept the GOP budget until this lawless executive is firmly restrained. Brooke Pierce
Charge projection
Rockaway Park: Is Trump kidding with this follow-up of John Bolton being indicted for mishandling classified documents? The FBI found more than 1,300 classified documents haphazardly strewn throughout Mar-a-Lago after Trump left office in 2020. Trump is the one who should be prosecuted for this type of crime. I don’t know if Bolton is guilty or not, but this certainly is the pot calling the kettle black. John Donohue
Mafioso MO
Barnegat, N.J.: I remember a scene in the movie “The Godfather” where a mob boss states that his rival mob boss, known as The Don, “has all the judges and politicians in his back pocket.” It seems we have a Don that fits that description. Jerry Serillo
Demand accountability
Copiague, L.I.: Dictators and despots promise order in a chaotic world — “vindication” and “revenge.” They claim to embody the values and interests of the people. History has enough ugly examples of how those promises have played out. It’s not the American way that I was taught in public school. However, about a third of any electorate either craves strongman rule or is willing to tolerate it. But to those who don’t, our current political situation has to be disquieting. Some would say 2026 will be the last election that might make a difference, and that the present administration is actively dismantling the parts of government that ordinary people depend on. Assuming that to be true, I’d beg even lifelong Republicans to set aside brand loyalty and hold every Republican candidate responsible, either by holding their noses and voting for Democrats or by withholding their vote from even worthy Republicans with great policy ideas. Mitch Kessler
Perfect candidate
Seaford, L.I.: What are the odds that recently freed convicted felon George Santos will be appointed as White House social secretary and event planner for the $200-million Trump ballroom when it is completed? Tom Downs
Proven track record
Rego Park: Those of us who lived in NYC during the 1970s remember what a scary place it sometimes was. Crime, graffiti and fires were rampant. And we remember what a relief it was to see Curtis Sliwa’s Guardian Angels walking through subway cars to offer a semblance of safety and to help deter crime. Sliwa is the only candidate who has always had the best interests of New Yorkers in mind, the only candidate who has actually done something useful for the city, and the only candidate who will deliver when he is mayor. Oreg Tuttle
Only Cuomo counts
Brooklyn: The mayoral debate proved that Sliwa hates Andrew Cuomo. Much of his attacks were on Cuomo when they should have been on Zohran Mamdani. I fear that his hatred for Cuomo is so great that he’s staying in the race to beat him and be nothing more than a spoiler. Sliwa has no chance of being mayor based on the registration math and Sliwa’s 312,385 votes received in 2021. He continues to say Cuomo lost badly in the Democratic primary. It is only because just 23% of registered Democrats came out to vote. Had it been 50%, Cuomo would have won handily. We need 50% or more of registered Democrats to come out to vote for Cuomo on Nov. 4 to save our city from this racist antisemite who has a grade-school economics education that will come back to haunt NYC residents. Under Mamdani, NYC can only get worse. David DiBello
Insubordination
Suffern, N.Y.: In the fifth inning, when Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer yelled at approaching manager Jon Schneider to keep him in the game, it reminded me about a story that former Cardinals catcher Tim McCarver used to tell about his Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson. Once, McCarver took two steps to go out and talk to Gibson, who screamed at him to get back behind the plate. Rick Sinclair
Originally Published: October 20, 2025 at 3:00 AM EDT