Somerset official urges federal support for Gateway phase 2 to secure one-seat ride on Raritan Valley Line

Deputy Director Marano told the Somerset County Board of Commissioners on June 24 that representatives from Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), federal and congressional offices, and mayors from about 20 towns along the Raritan Valley Line met to press for improvements that could deliver a one-seat ride to New York. Marano said phase 1 of the Gateway Tunnel and related work is fully funded but will take several years to complete. She cautioned that phase 2 — the stage she said could allow the Raritan Valley Line to reach New York without a transfer in Newark — is currently unfunded. Phase 2 elements the county identified include expansion work at Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station, bridge and track upgrades, and the Hunter Flyover. “Please petition your federal representatives that we need the phase 2 funding for the project for the Gateway Tunnel,” Marano said, noting that the Hunter Flyover was thought to be funded but is not. Marano described how the transfer in Newark affects commuting time and urged residents to press federal representatives for funding to complete the later stage of the project. The county said Phase 1 is funded and underway; county officials and municipal leaders are continuing advocacy for Phase 2 funding. Next steps: the county’s Raritan Valley coalition and municipal leaders will continue advocacy with federal and state partners; residents were urged to contact their federal representatives to support funding for phase 2 elements.