Christie Is Right About the Hudson River Big Dig

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 10-16-10 | STEVE MALANGA

[GOP_Lady]

The money might be better spent on New Jersey's roads, which are rated among the worst in the nation.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has come under intense criticism for threatening to cancel the largest infrastructure project in the nation, a new rail tunnel connecting New York City with the Garden State. But Mr. Christie is right to be skeptical.

Much of the censure is coming from an "infrastructure über alles" crowd that too readily ignores that the costs of these big projects are often grossly underestimated and their benefits significantly exaggerated.

The rail tunnel, known as the Access to the Region's Core, or ARC, is meant to relieve the overcrowding in the already-existing rail tunnels under the Hudson River shared by Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains. Currently, many commuter trains have to deposit passengers at an alternate rail station in Hoboken, N.J., where commuters then take subway-style trains into Manhattan. The ARC would create a direct link to midtown Manhattan for many of these commuters.

[MaggieCarta]

We love GOP men in suits! :-)

Or, without them!

I'm blushing just posting a link.

[MX96391]

Chris Christie was right about the NJ teachers union, but got this one wrong. We need to keep our infrastructure current and this tunnel was needed. The long term economic benefits far outweigh the costs, even if it goes 5-10 billion over budget. It would greatly increase home prices of many New Jersey residents and would dramatically reduce commute times. Shorter commutes to Manhattan mean more productive hours at work. Governor Christie should reconsider.

[MX96391]

A ferry simply does not have the capacity that a new tunnel would have. The economics make sense to build the tunnel.

[GeronL]

Then have a private company build it and charge tolls if the economics are there.