NJ gov. scraps long-planned NJ-NY rail tunnel

[brooklynite]

Source: AP

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday killed a decades-in-the-making train tunnel connecting New Jersey and Manhattan, saying the state can't afford to pay for cost overruns on the underway project.

Construction on the project began last year and was scheduled to be completed in 2018. The largest federal transportation project in the country, it was expected to double train traffic in and out of New York City during peak commute times.

But over the years, the cost for the tunnel has also nearly doubled as well.

...snip...

At a news conference Thursday, Christie said: "I can't put taxpayers on a never-ending hook."

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRANS_HUDSON_TUNNEL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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All for the sake of not raising a gas tax that hasn't gone up in 21 years.

[ramapo]

1. Not unbelievable

There is no end to the regressive thinking of Republicans. The United States is spinning its wheels backwards while the restt of the world moves forward.

[brooklynite]

4. And yet, you have to admire Gov Christie...

...for actually living up to Republican talking points. It'll be interesting to see how voters react when they learn that can't continue to have both low taxes and Government services.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. THAT is NOT his motivation. He still plans to use the money..but for roads, not public trans-

portation. He is a typical repuke hypocrite. He wants the money..but not for the people who really need it.

I hope the Federal gvot can take it back since it is not going to be used for its designated purpose.

[karynnj]

12. No we don't have to admire Christie

This is the dumbest thing his administration has done - dumber than messing up the education info and losing millions.

The fact is that NJ will need this - and this likely will kill the project - losing lots of federal and port authority money.

[saigon68]

2. Short sighted

Unreal I guess our money should be spent blowing the fuck out of numerous mud huts in Fuckstan or where-ever

[hedgehog]

3. Christie is trying to think ahead - he figures this way when the

Zombie Apocalypse arrives, he'll better be ale to defend New Jersey from the Zombie hordes in Manhattan. Unfortunately for him, the Zombies will be able to walk across the bottom of the Hudson River.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. If I lived in NJ, I would try to impeach Chris Christi.

Federal money meant to help in mass transit, and Cristi is going to try to use it for roads.
He is catering to his far Southern NJ constituents, who drive..as opposed to the mid and Northern NJers who would benefit most from this tunnel. The tunnel would even ease the backups on Amtrak.

I hope the Federal govt can take it all back..

This was supposed to be the biggest public transportation project in decades.

Christi is out to make Dems look bad, and defeat any and all Dems. ..and that includes President Obama...and if the commuters in NJ suffer..screw them.

[karynnj]

13. He's actually from a county with many people who commute to Manhattan

[BrklynLiberal]

16. His interests have always been with Big Business. His place of origin may not

be the most salient factor in his political choices.

Wiki:

Lobbyist

In 1998 Christie registered as a lobbyist for the firm of Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci, alongside fellow partner and later, gubernatorial campaign fundraiser Bill Palatucci. Between 1999 and 2001, Christie and Palatucci lobbied on behalf of, among others, GPU Energy for deregulation of New Jersey's electric and gas industry; the Securities Industry Association to block the inclusion of securities fraud under the state's Consumer Fraud Act; Hackensack University Medical Center for state grants, and the University of Phoenix for a New Jersey higher education license.<7>
United States Attorney

Christie served as the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey from January 17, 2002 to December 1, 2008. His office included 137 attorneys, with offices in Newark, Trenton and Camden. Christie also served as one of the 17 U.S. Attorneys on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' advisory committee.

[tridim]

7. I'm starting to think the future displayed in "Idiocracy" was way too generous.

The Republicans certainly want us to be that stupid, but they also don't want us to have any infrasructure that supports a community.

[Kievan Rus]

11. With the anti-transit attitudes of Republicans, I think....

the future depicted in "Mad Max: The Road Warrior" more likely.

[Sweet Charming Dem]

8. I don't want to see the gas tax raised personally

But the tunnels are a good idea. I just wish it wasn't so damn expensive to go into NYC now. A round trip ticket is over $30.

[elleng]

9. Tunnels are an excellent idea,

but we really have to recognize the HUGE expenses involved in trying to address infrastructure matters.

[ProSense]

10. A gas tax or raising tolls is much fairer than what Christie is doing

He's raising transit fares, which puts a significant burden on lower income New Jerseyans.

He cut taxes for people making over $400,000 and wants to cut them even more. Yet he has the nerve to complain about not having money to fund a much-needed project.

[Sweet Charming Dem]

14. Well, both raising the gas tax or tolls is just as bad as raising transit fares

I'm all for taxing the hell out of the rich.

I'm low income, but I live in rural NJ. I'm half hour from a train to NYC...even longer for a bus, as far as I know. I already spend a lot of money on gas, because I have no option but to drive. Tax the rich.

[No Elephants]

15. Oil industry should be happy.More roads--and mass transit riders paying for them.