New Jersey Lawmakers to Hear From Amtrak Exec on Tunnel Woes

New Jersey lawmakers are expected to hear from an Amtrak executive about what's being done to push along a project to build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River.

There's widespread agreement that a new rail tunnel is needed under the Hudson. But the sticking point remains; how do we pay for it? New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says the federal government should help cover the cost.

Meanwhile, the Record newspaper reported over the weekend that New Jersey taxpayers have already put up $1.2 billion for the massive ARC tunnel project,  an initiative New Jersey Governor Chris Christie canceled about 5 years ago.

At Monday’s hearing, Stephen Gardner, Amtrak's vice president for Northeast corridor infrastructure investment is expected to address problems in the existing rail tunnel that caused delays on several days at the end of last month.

Gardner will speak before a Senate Legislative Oversight Committee in Trenton.

Amtrak is gradually upgrading its aging equipment up and down the Northeast corridor but is facing opposition in Congress as it seeks more funding.

Its plan to build a new tunnel is estimated to cost about $14 billion.

With reporting from the Associated Press.