A nearly $2 billion project to replace a century-old rail bridge in New Jersey that has been a source of delays over many years has received a boost from the federal government. The Federal Transit Administration on Friday approved the Portal North Bridge project to advance to the engineering phase, during which it can receive about $800 million it needs to start construction. The project, part of the larger Gateway project that includes a new tunnel under the Hudson River into New York, has been awaiting approval for several years while New York and New Jersey officials have squabbled with the federal government over dividing up the cost.

MAJOR NEWS: The Portal Bridge project will enter into its engineering phase with FULL federal funding.

Honored to have made the case directly to @realDonaldTrump last weekend, and proud to usher in a new era of safe, modern, reliable infrastructure for NJ and the region.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) June 19, 2020