If you’ve ever taken the train between New Jersey and Manhattan, you know the struggle—crowded platforms, endless delays, and aging tunnels that can’t keep up.
For years, commuters waited for a real solution.
Now, after delays and debates, a $16.1 billion project is finally happening.
A new tunnel under the Hudson River is being built, and the old, storm-damaged tunnel is getting repaired.
Naturally, people have questions—how long will it take, how will it affect travel, and will it solve the problem?
Officials recently held a public meeting in North Bergen to share updates covering construction plans, noise control, and expected benefits.
But while the tunnel is all about improving train service, another debate is happening in the background—who should get credit?
Some argue that President Biden deserves recognition since his 2021 infrastructure bill provided the funding.
Others believe that former President Donald Trump might try to claim credit once the project is completed.
So, who deserves it? Let’s break it down.
- The Hudson Tunnel Project is a $16.1 billion plan to improve train travel between New Jersey and Manhattan by building a new tunnel and fixing the old one damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
- At a public meeting in North Bergen, officials shared updates on construction, noise control, and how the project will connect to Penn Station to help commuters and residents understand what to expect.
- Some argue the tunnel should be named after President Biden since his 2021 infrastructure bill funded it, while others believe former President Trump might try to take credit for it later.
Public Meeting Brings Updates on the Hudson Tunnel Project
The Hudson Tunnel Project, part of the $16.1 billion Gateway Program, is one of the country’s biggest infrastructure projects.
The Gateway Development Commission held a public information session in North Bergen to keep the community informed.
Mayor Nicholas Sacco hosted the event at the downtown Recreation Center and Library, joined by Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, Claudia Rodriguez, Anthony Vainieri, Township Administrator Janet Castro, and County Commissioner Robert Baselice.
At this session, residents learned about the project’s goals, construction timeline, and efforts to reduce noise and other disruptions.
Officials explained that the new tunnel would connect the Bergen Palisades in New Jersey to Manhattan and restore the North River Tunnel, which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
The discussion focused on how the project would improve travel between New Jersey and New York City.
Many commuters rely on the existing tunnels, which are aging and overused.
A new double-track tunnel will provide more capacity and make train service more reliable.
Another important part of the project is the construction of a concrete casing in Hudson Yards, which will allow the tunnel to connect to Penn Station.
Officials also explained how they plan to minimize construction noise and other inconveniences.
Since this is a long-term project, they assured the community that steps are being taken to reduce disruptions as much as possible.
The Debate Over Credit for the Project
While nearly everyone agrees that the Hudson Tunnel Project is a long-overdue improvement, the question of who should receive credit has become a political debate.
MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell has been especially vocal, arguing that the tunnel should be named the “Biden Tunnel” because President Joe Biden’s 2021 infrastructure bill provided the funds to finally get it built.
During an interview on The Last Word with outgoing Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, O’Donnell called the Gateway Program the most complex infrastructure project funded by the Biden administration.
He pointed out that different politicians had pushed for a new tunnel for years, but nothing moved forward until Biden’s bill made it happen.
O’Donnell also raised an important point about just how outdated the region’s transportation system has become.
Despite population growth and increasing traffic over the past 50 years, no extra lanes have been added to major Hudson River crossings like the Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, or George Washington Bridge.
In his view, the Hudson Tunnel Project is an absolute necessity.
His argument for naming the tunnel after Biden comes from a broader belief that major infrastructure projects rarely get the recognition they deserve.
He said that millions of people will travel through this tunnel in the future without ever knowing who made it possible.
At the same time, he predicted that former President Donald Trump might try to take credit for it, even though the funding came from Biden’s administration.
Buttigieg agreed, adding that large infrastructure projects take years to complete, and the leaders who push them forward often don’t get the recognition they deserve.
He compared the Hudson Tunnel Project to “cathedrals of our infrastructure,” saying that, like great buildings, these projects are built to last for generations.
The Future of the Hudson Tunnel Project
Now that the funding is secure, construction is finally moving forward.
It won’t be a quick fix—this is a massive project that will take years to complete—but once it’s done, it will change how people travel between New Jersey and Manhattan.
More trains will run, delays will shrink, and thousands of commuters who have spent years dealing with overcrowding and unreliable service will finally get some relief.
Beyond the daily grind of commuting, this project is also expected to give the economy a major boost.
A stronger transportation system means workers can get to their jobs more easily, businesses can operate more smoothly, and the entire region will benefit from improved infrastructure.
The project will create jobs during construction and improve the entire region’s infrastructure in the long run.
While the debate over who deserves credit—or what the tunnel should be called—will likely continue, the important thing is that it’s finally happening.
Residents can expect more updates as construction progresses, and officials have promised to keep the public informed.
Call it the “Biden Tunnel” or something else entirely, but one thing is certain—this project will change the way people travel for decades to come.
