Dear Editor:
In his decision to twice scrap the building of the “New Rail Tunnel” beneath the Hudson, republican governor Chris Christie has cost the residents of Secaucus approximately 30,000 per household. This figure is derived from what would have been the estimated increase in home values. Furthermore, his decision will potentially increase the amount of traffic traveling on our roads in upcoming years adding to the amount of green house gases in our neighborhoods. The potential jobs this construction would have brought to our families and friends are no longer an option.
The initial estimated construction cost of the project was 8.7 billion dollars. Of this total, the federal government would contribute 3 billion, the Port Authority another 3 billion, and the state of New Jersey 2.7 billion. After a further analysis by the Federal Department of Transportation, it was concluded the cost would be closer to 10 billion dollars. Department of Transportation head, Ray Lahood, offered to contribute an additional 358 million in federal aid to alleviate the cost to our state. Governor Christie was not persuaded. Cost saving options were also discussed such as; low interest federal loans and downsizing the initial project. Still Christie would not budge.
The present 2 track tunnel was built over 100 years ago by Pennsylvania Railroad. It accommodates 23 trains an hour at peak capacity. Ridership on these trains has quadrupled over the last 20 years, a rise from 10 million annual trips to 46 million. Over the next 20 years ridership on these trains is expected to double again.
Governor Christie clearly has his own political agenda which is viewed as fiscally conservative by the heads of the Republican Party. He has attacked teachers, the police force and our firefighters. It’s my opinion the only decision Christie has gotten right was capping the decadent salaries of school superintendents. Our own superintendent Randina will be racking in $238,000 in her final contract year, nearly 2x the governor’s salary.
Governor Chris Christie is Bad News for New Jersey and even worse for Secaucus residents.
Tom Roarty