(The following article by Michael Lavitt was posted on the Trenton Times website on May 16.)
TRENTON, N.J. — There are times in life when all the elements of success seem to converge.
Take the 1969 Mets, for example. Average players and stars alike had career seasons. And breaks tended to go the Mets’ way.
Those who put their faith in astrology say it’s the alignment of the stars. Others say it’s God’s will, while the more practical see needs and capabilities that match up, such as Spain’s desire to expand its empire and invention of the magnetic compass, enabling Columbus to discover America.
That time may be here for the Trans-Hudson Express Tunnel as politicians from New Jersey and New York see reasons to support the new rail link. The tunnel would add two new tracks under the Hudson, doubling the capacity offered by the nearly century-old tubes.
Last week Gov. Jon Corzine committed nearly $500 million from the state Transportation Trust Fund for the $6 billion project. The governor said in a statement that he wants “to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible.”
The planned start of construction in 2009 would align nicely with the next gubernatorial election, which just happens to come that year. And construction could finish before 2016.
And as Corzine made the announcement during the Governor’s annual Transportation Conference in Trenton, Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg, Robert Menendez (both D-N.J.), Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer (both D-N.Y.) sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta asking for federal support.
“Our current transportation infrastructure will soon be unable to accommodate passenger rail demand for crossing the Hudson River,” they wrote. “We look forward to the timely completion of the environmental and cost-benefit reviews for the project.”
In addition, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Chairman Anthony Coscia said he is committed to including the tunnel in the agency’s capital program. The Port Authority’s commitment is expected to total around $2 billion.
And to put the icing on the cake, New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, who is running for governor against a yet-to-be-named Republican, voiced support for the tunnel. Spitzer has built his reputation around high-profile prosecutions of corporate wrongdoing and recently has been supporting mass transit improvements as a way of broadening his range of issues.
Tunnel supporters note that nearly half the people working in New York cross the Hudson River to get there. And much of the increased population growth will be west of the Hudson, while the number of jobs in New York City will increase.
New Jerseyans won’t be the only ones to benefit, since Rockland and Orange counties also host many bedroom communities.
But support for the tunnel is hardly a sure thing.
Much of the funding for the project linking two blue states would have to come from Washington, where the Republicans control Congress and the White House.
And while Spitzer seems more supportive of the tunnel than incumbent Republican Gov. George Pataki, it’s hardly the Democratic candidate’s top transportation priority. Spitzer wants to see construction of a Second Avenue subway in Manhattan, a connection that allows Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Station and a replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Indeed, Spitzer’s support for the tunnel hinges on a quid pro quo that if the Port Authority backs that project, it will have to spend an equal amount on New York transportation projects.
Hearing about the new boost for the project, a commuter from Somerset said he hoped to not be commuting when the tunnel is done in 2016. But he’s already been at it for 10 years, longer than he ever expected.