Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced over $10.6 million in federal grant money awarded to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for key elements of the Cross Harbor Freight Program, which will finally connect the New York City region to the national freight rail grid.  The grant is part of the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program, also known as the FASTLANE program, which Congress authorized as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015.  The Cross Harbor Freight Program was one of only eighteen projects selected nationally for federal funding under the FASTLANE program, the first ever dedicated freight program for large scale multimodal projects critical to our regional and national economy.  

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), both members of the Conference Committee for the FAST Act, along with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) hailed today’s announcement as a major victory and important step forward for addressing New York’s freight infrastructure.  

“I am thrilled that the Cross Harbor Freight Program was recognized by DOT as one of the national projects deserving funding from the new FASTLANE freight grant program,” said Congressman Nadler.  “This grant will help fund important intermodal rail improvements, and advance the Cross Harbor project, which is essential for removing trucks off New York and New Jersey’s roadways, alleviating the freight bottleneck in our region, and improving air quality and economic growth.”

“With this funding, the Cross Harbor Freight Program is now on the right track, as it will finally help link New York City to the national freight rail grid,” said U.S. Senator Schumer.  “This important project has the potential to massively reduce truck traffic and the pollution they bring, which is music to the ears of so many of our communities with sky-high asthma rates.  Thank you to the Department of Transportation for prioritizing this critical infrastructure project by awarding more than more than $10.6 million FASTLANE grant funds.”

“The Cross Harbor Freight Program is a major investment for New York City that would help strengthen our transportation infrastructure, reduce congestion and air pollution, and create new economic opportunities,” said U.S. Senator Gillibrand.  “These federal funds will be used to improve our regional freight network by creating an important step in creating a new rail connection across New York Harbor.  I am pleased that the Department of Transportation is making this important investment in New York.”

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