On the heels of US Senator Charles Schumer’s announcement that he will push for construction of a new cross-Hudson rail tunnel from Secaucus to Penn Station, he said Wednesday that he would lobby for a “Secaucus Loop.”
That would give Metro-North travelers from Orange and Rockland counties a single-train ride right into New York City.
“If we do this right, we can get a one-stop right from Orange County, from Rockland County, right into Manhattan, without having to change or transfer and that is a great opportunity for this county and Rockland County,” he said.
A direct rail connection from the Mid-Hudson west of the Hudson River to New York is something Schumer has sought for some 20 years.
Schumer came to the Town of Wallkill Metro-North train station on Wednesday to say he wants creation of a Gateway Development Corporation to secure the funding and to build the tunnel. He noted that Hurricane Sandy severely damaged the two tunnels under the Hudson now and if they deteriorate to the point of being unusable, it could significantly slow down and cripple rail service along the east coast.
Funding for the total project, which he estimated at $14 million, would come from Amtrak, federal, state and New York City governments.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christy, who nixed an earlier “ARC” cross-Hudson tunnel project, would have a responsibility to sign onto this plan, Schumer said, especially since the majority of those using the current train route come from the Garden State.
State Assemblyman James Skoufis (D, Woodbury) and Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano both said a one-seat ride would be beneficial for both local commuters as well as tourists wanting to travel north to enjoy what the Hudson Valley has to offer.
