JERSEY CITY — A transportation consultant has proposed an alternative to building new rail tunnels beneath the Hudson River.
The Empire State Gateway twin suspension bridges, a project founded by Scott R. Spencer of Wilmington, Delaware, would span approximately 3.5 miles between New Jersey and Queens, according to N.J. Advance Media.
The futuristic bridges would also cross Manhattan at 38th and 39th streets and include a rail station in midtown.
Each of the bridges would have two rail lines on the lower level, and two lanes for buses and a light rail — or potentially, a magnetic levitating train — on the upper level. Spencer said this would reduce congestion in both Lincoln Tunnel and the Port Authority bus terminal.
Spencer also plans to include a walkway for pedestrians and bicycles on the third level.
On the New Jersey side, the suspension bridges would run adjacent to the Lincoln Tunnel and through part of Weehawken.
The project would cost an estimated $20 billion, and Spencer said he anticipates that building one of the twin bridges would take about 60 months.
Spencer made his official proposal for the Empire State Gateway on Tuesday at a hearing held by transit officials regarding the Hudson River rail tunnels, and plans to send concept drawings to the Federal Railroad Administration by next week.
In midst of tunnel talks, consultant proposes bridge from Hudson County to New York
