The Hudson Tunnel Project: Reviving NYC's Gateway to Jersey
A significant $16 billion infrastructure undertaking links New York City and New Jersey via a tunnel beneath the Hudson River.
Jumping aboard a train to Jersey might soon become a breeze, thanks to the Hudson Tunnel Project. This ambitious initiative, part of the Gateway Program, promises to make trips between our bustling transit cities smoother than ever.
Considered the most imperative US infrastructure project, this $16 billion venture is poised to affect approximately 200,000 daily travelers and create about 100,000 jobs.
Remember the tension-filled NJ Transit strike and the ongoing headaches of the East River Tunnel repair? Upcoming commutes to Hoboken and Jersey City, favorite escape zones of NYC denizens, will be a welcome respite.
Intrigued by what this project entails? We got you covered with everything you need to know.
What Exactly is the Hudson Tunnel Project?
The Hudson Tunnel Project, an integral part of the Gateway Program, aims to construct nine miles of new passenger railroad tracks between NYC and Jersey, including a new two-tube tunnel beneath the Hudson River. Simultaneously, the program will repair the existing 115-year-old tunnel.
Upon completion, two tracks in the new Hudson River tunnel and two in the North River tunnel will be connecting NYC and Jersey to maintain Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT capacity.
The multi-state project concentrates on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), spanning 457 miles through eight states. The 15.8-mile stretch between Newark (NJ) and Penn Station (NY) is the busiest section of the line, hosting around 2,000 trains daily and a staggering 800,000 passengers.
"Gateway is an endeavor of immense importance for the millions of travelers set to benefit from it, and it will be a significant driver of economic growth for the entire New Jersey-New York region," declared Kevin O'Toole, President of the Port Authority, in a statement.
Is the Hudson Tunnel Project Already Underway?
The Hudson Tunnel Project officially kicked off construction in 2023 and is dubbed a '10-in-1' project, according to Gateway Development Commission (GDC) Public Relations Chief Steve Sigmund, as reported by Mass Transit.
As per the Gateway Program website, five out of ten Hudson Tunnel Project projects are already underway, including:
- Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Public Utility Relocation Project
- Hudson Yards Section 3 Concrete Lining Project
- Hudson River Slope Stabilization Project
- Palisades Tunnel Project
- Manhattan Tunnel Project
Upon completion – the completion date for the new tunnel is scheduled for 2035, with the refurbishment of the existing tunnel three years later – the repairs are anticipated to last a century.
Who Foots the Bill for the Hudson Tunnel Project?
The federal government and the Hudson Tunnel Project partners – New York, New Jersey, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) – bear the responsibility for the project and share costs 70/30, according to a press release from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's office.
The Gateway Hudson Tunnel project also benefits local residents directly, indirectly, and inducedly, maintaining approximately 20,200 equivalent full-time jobs (FTEs), and generating $4.5 billion in economic production and $1.7 billion in labor income, as per the organization's statement.
For more details on the project and updates on its progress, visit the Gateway Development Commission website.
Current Status: A Progress Report
As of May 2025, substantial advancements have been made on the Hudson Tunnel Project:
Construction Update
- Hudson Yards Concrete Casing – Section 3 (HYCC-3): This project is more than half complete and is on track for completion by 2026[5].
- Hudson River Ground Stabilization (HRGS) Project: This component is over three-quarters finished, with an expected completion by the end of 2025[3].
- Overall HTP: Five out of ten construction projects are currently underway, with plans to award contracts for two more projects in 2026[2].
Anticipated Completion
- HYCC-3 Completion: Expected by 2026[5].
- HRGS Completion: Expected by the end of 2025[3].
- Overall Expectations: Though complex, involving multiple components, significant progress is being made steadily and within budget[5].
The Hudson Tunnel Project is a substantial undertaking to modernize transit infrastructure in the region, with the successful completion expected to provide efficient and dependable train service, addressing the constraints posed by the aging existing tunnel.
- The Hudson Tunnel Project, as part of the Gateway Program, is expected to not only improve transportation between New York City and Jersey but also stimulate economic growth and finance in the New Jersey-New York region, potentially creating about 100,000 jobs.
- With feverish anticipation for improved commute, particularly to Hoboken and Jersey City, the Hudson Tunnel Project's construction (started in 2023) includes the building of nine miles of new railroad tracks, a new two-tube tunnel beneath the Hudson River, and the repair of the existing 115-year-old tunnel, aiming to address the financial burden and complexities in the transportation industry.
