NJ Governor Phil Murphy attends the second groundbreaking for the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project at Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen, NJ on Thursday Nov. 30, 2023.
© Tariq Zehawi/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) – At long last, the Gateway Tunnel project is underway. But it’s also already facing delays. Gateway project officials originally estimated the work would be completed by 2038. Now, an audit from the Department of Transportation suggests the finish date could be closer to 2040 — or later.
The project will build a new two-way rail tunnel underneath the Hudson River, linking New Jersey and Midtown Manhattan. An existing tunnel, which is over 100-years-old and sustained damage during Superstorm Sandy, will be repaired. Ground broke on the project in November.
The DOT cites staffing concerns, large contract awards, and additional prep issues in predicting a delay beyond the original estimated completion date.