Today’s need to stimulate the economy and ease my constituent’s financial burdens is at the forefront of my mind.  That is why, as a member of the Transportation Committee, I have taken a particular interest in the construction of the new Trans-Hudson tunnel.  The ARC Tunnel (Access to the Region’s Core Mass Transit Tunnel) will provide Essex and Passaic county residents who use New Jersey Transit’s Montclair-Boonton, Main- Bergen and Morris and Essex rail lines more frequent trains and express service.  In addition, for the first time ever, riders on the Main-Bergen Line and those boarding the Montclair-Boonton line west of Montclair State University will have the convenience of transfer-free rides into and out of Midtown Manhattan.  The tunnel will double the number of trains during each peak hour-23 trains today to 48 when the tunnel opens. 

            The project will create some 6,000jobs per year during peak construction and 44,000 new permanent jobs once service begins. The project will generate nearly $50 billion dollars in new economic activity.  Those residents who may not even use the tunnel will benefit by the increased real estate values of their homes.

            Finally, the tunnel will provide residents with a better quality of life.  It is predicted that the tunnel will take 22,000 cars off the road reducing 66,000 tons of greenhouse emissions. 

The increase of train service will help alleviate the stress of crowding.  In addition, in today’s economy, many residents are working longer hours sadly taking away from precious time with their families.  Direct train lines will shorten commutes providing residents with more time at home. 

            The project will be completed in 2017.  The New York Transit Authorities will be sharing the costs with New Jersey and the federal government will contribute over $3 billion dollars to the tunnel project decreasing tax burdens on New Jersey residents.