WASHINGTON — On Monday, President Trump declared that he would not allow the federal government to absorb any extra costs associated with the Gateway tunnel initiative. This extensive project aims to improve the Northeast Corridor rail line connecting Newark and New York City.
Expressing his disapproval on Truth Social, Trump referred to the Gateway project as a potential financial disaster. He compared it to California’s high-speed rail project, which has faced significant budget overruns and delays. “I am opposed to the future boondoggle known as ‘Gateway,’ in New York/New Jersey, because it will cost many BILLIONS OF DOLLARS more than projected or anticipated, much like Gavin Newscum’s ‘Railroad’ to nowhere,” he stated.
He warned that without careful management and planning, Gateway could spell financial trouble for the region. Trump emphasized that the federal government would not cover any excess expenditures, insisting, “Under no circumstances, will the Federal Government be responsible for ANY COST OVERRUNS – NOT ONE DOLLAR!”
Nonetheless, he indicated a willingness to collaborate with project leaders to prevent such financial pitfalls, saying, “The Federal Government is willing to meet, however, to make sure that this does not happen!”
Amid previous political tensions, Trump had halted federal funding for the project, seemingly in response to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries advocating for a governmental shutdown.
Despite these obstacles, construction was able to proceed with temporary funding, which expired on February 6. On the same day, a federal judge in Manhattan ordered the reinstatement of $16 billion to ensure the project’s continuation.
Work on the Gateway project has spanned five sites across New York and New Jersey. The existing tunnels are more than a century old and were badly impacted by Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
The connection between New York City and New Jersey is the busiest rail passageway in the country, and the Obama administration deemed Gateway one of the most important infrastructure projects in America.
Privately, Trump and Schumer broached the topic of renaming New York’s Penn Station and Washington’s Dulles International Airport after the president during a discussion about unlocking funds for the tunnel last month, a source with knowledge of the discussion told The Post.
“The naming of PENN Station (I LOVE Pennsylvania, but it is a direct competitor to New York, and ‘eating New York’s lunch!’) to TRUMP STATION, was brought up by certain politicians and construction union heads, not me,” Trump added on Truth Social Monday.
During his second term, Trump — who emblazoned his name on scores of properties during his real estate days — has had a series of marquee federal buildings renamed after him, including the Kennedy Center and the Institute of Peace.
The president has also intervened in other key infrastructure projects, vetoing a bipartisan bill last year to finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, which would bring clean drinking water to rural communities in the Eastern Plains of Colorado.
Just last week, Trump threatened to prevent the new Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ont. from opening amid trade friction with Canada.
