NEW YORK (WABC) — The Trump administration must release millions of dollars in funding for the Gateway Tunnel project after a federal court order blocking that money expired.<\/p>\n
The decision is a major legal victory for the Gateway Development Commission and clears the way for the critical rail project, which will connect New Jersey to New York Penn Station, to move forward.<\/p>\n
New York and New Jersey officials are urging the federal government to release the funds after a judge ordered the Trump administration to restore $205 million for the Gateway project.<\/p>\n
The administration froze the money last Friday, halting construction and affecting as many as 1,000 jobs.<\/p>\n
The transfer of funds was supposed to begin by 5 p.m. Thursday under the judge’s order. The money had already been allocated by Congress, though President Donald Trump said months ago that the project was “terminated.”<\/p>\n
Up to this point, federal officials had not released any of the allocated funding.<\/p>\n
The Gateway Tunnel project carries an estimated $16 billion price tag, with more than $1 billion of work already underway.<\/p>\n
The project is widely viewed as essential infrastructure because it adds two new rail tubes under the Hudson River, a key safeguard against major disruptions to regional rail travel.<\/p>\n
The states are expected back in court on Feb. 23 as the federal government appeals the ruling.<\/p>\n
New Jersey Gov. Sherrill is scheduled to hold an 11:30 a.m. press conference Friday calling on federal officials to restore the funds so construction can resume.<\/p>\n
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