Hudson Yards Concrete Casing project lands $292.2 million Mega grant

Feb. 1, 2023

The grant will cover construction of the final right-of-way preservation section to be built under Hudson Yards in New York City that will allow trains to travel between the new Hudson River Tunnel and New York Penn Station.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

President Joe Biden speaks during a Jan. 31 event at Hudson Yards in New York to announce a $292 million Mega grant for a key component of the Hudson Tunnel Project.

The Hudson Tunnel Project, a key part of the Gateway Program, received a significant funding commitment from the federal government with a $292.17 million grant awarded to Amtrak through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Grant Program.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, speaks at a Jan. 31 event marking significant federal funding for the Hudson Tunnel Project.

President Joe Biden was joined by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and other congressional, state and local leaders to mark the funding award at Hudson Yards in New York.

“This tunnel opened for business in 1910, 113 years ago, and the structure is literally deteriorating,” said President Biden. “When the project is complete, trains will be in and out of New York more quickly, more safely and with fewer interruptions.”

The Mega grant will help fund the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing, Section 3 project, which is a component of the Hudson River Tunnel project that is part of the larger Gateway Program. The project will build the third and final section of concrete casing intended to preserve future right-of-way for the new Hudson River Tunnel and lay the groundwork for the Gateway Project.

“All told, this is one of the biggest and most consequential projects in the country, but it’s going to take time. It’s a multi-billion-dollar effort between the states and the federal government, but we finally have the money, and we’re going to get it done,” added Biden.

The entire Hudson Tunnel Project carries an estimated cost of more than $16 billion and includes two components: The construction of a two-track Hudson River rail tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan and rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel, which sustained significant damage during Superstorm Sandy. The existing North River Tunnel is the sole passenger rail connection between Manhattan, New Jersey and the Northeast Corridor.

“Completing the last phase of the concrete casing kicks us into high gear on the Hudson Tunnel Project. The new tunnel is essential to the future of the region and the nation and will improve the customer experience for millions, create career opportunities for thousands and help us fight climate change,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner.

The funding for Amtrak is one of nine Mega grants that were awarded a combined $1.2 billion, including more than $517 million that will benefit passenger rail and transit projects.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director

Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.

Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.