Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) is praising New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for making a strong case for a cross-harbor rail freight tunnel in a document presented to the United States Congress today. In “Moving Forward: New York City’s Vision For the Reauthorization of TEA-21," the Mayor lists the tunnel as a “funding priority.”

“Getting Federal funding for the rail freight tunnel is absolutely critical, as it is one of the most important transportation projects in the history of the City,” said Rep. Nadler. “The case Mayor Bloomberg presented hits the nail on the head, and will greatly further the cause. Uniting behind this project is vital, and I am pleased to join with the Mayor as we lead the way.”

In his presentation to Congress, the Mayor writes that “improved freight movement... continues to be critical in all of the boroughs of the City.” Under the Mayor’s list of funding priorities, the Mayor notes the need for continued funding of the “rail freight tunnel as part of a National Strategy for Transportation System Redundancy,” which will help to “improve the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement” of goods in the City’s transportation network.

In addition, under his Legislative recommendations, the Mayor asks Congress to “Provide a separate funding mechanism for Freight Projects.” He continues, “With much of the freight destined for the City entering via the George Washington Bridge, and with freight volumes forecasted to increase by 70% over the next 20 years, New York City needs to improve its rail facilities to offer a viable alternative for freight movement. A dedicated funding program is needed to implement freight improvements because rail bottlenecks are often regional in nature.

“The Mayor’s plan offers a clear understanding of the extreme difficulty the City will face in the coming years if we do not address the movement of rail freight,” said Rep. Nadler. “I am pleased that he - like so many others - has come to the conclusion that while we need to make many improvements, the cross harbor tunnel is the lynchpin of any plan to address that issue.”

Rep Nadler has served in Congress since 1992. He represents the 8th Congressional District of New York, which includes parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. He serves on the Transportation Committee in the House of Representatives.