Spending Deal Will Keep Hudson Tunnel Project Moving

Despite fears that President Trump would kill a proposed rail tunnel under the Hudson River, the project will proceed on schedule, thanks to the trillion-dollar Congressional spending deal. 

The House and Senate are expected to approve the plan this week, which will fund the federal government through the end of the budget year in September.

A key demand for Democrats was including more money for Amtrak and a federal fund that helps pay for big, new transportation projects. Among those is Gateway, a $24 billion plan to build two new train tunnels under the Hudson and upgrade existing bridges and rails in New York and New Jersey.

Trump sought to eliminate the fund, known as New Starts. But legislative budget writers disagreed and added $98 million in the spending deal. The plan also adds $75 million for Amtrak's Northeast Corridor service, for a total of $328 million.

Congressional staff expect Amtrak will also use some of that money to help pay for the $24 billion tunnel project, which is still in the planning phase.

The budget deal was praised by Democrats, including New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who serves on the Transportation Committee. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, said Democrats largely got what they wanted in the spending plan.

"I would not say there's a major loss in here," Schumer told reporters.