Blumenthal Presses Gateway Development Corporation Official About the Trump Administration's Delay of Gateway & the Need for Connecticut Rail Improvements

[WASHINGTON, DC] – At a hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) questioned former Obama Deputy Secretary of Transportation and current interim Executive Director of the Gateway Development Corporation John Porcari about why the Gateway Program – a set of improvements on the bustling Northeast Corridor (NEC) rail network, including the construction of a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River – was stalled by the previous administration. Porcari stated he did not know why the former U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao did not advance the project after a 27-month delay, and agreed with Blumenthal that the project must move forward to ensure the efficiency and safety of the NEC.

“What is the reason for the delay?” Blumenthal asked Porcari.

“The environmental impact statement was under review for over 27 months by the previous DOT leadership with no response,” Porcari replied.

“The previous DOT leadership being who?” Blumenthal asked.

“Secretary Chao,” Porcari answered.“And is there any rational explanation for why there has been that 27 month delay?” Blumenthal continued.“There is not Senator. It took us 22 months to put it together, which is actually quite fast, but the review, I don’t have an answer,” Porcari stated.

Blumenthal also questioned Porcari about the need to establish dedicated funding for intercity passenger rail, stating: “Every year, Amtrak depends on discretionary appropriations to meet both capital and operating needs. As a result, the company’s abilities to make long terms plans and make effective use of the support the taxpayers provide is compromised. Rail is the only source, the only major type of transportation without a dedicated reliable funding stream.” Porcari agreed that a dedicated funding stream for Amtrak would not only improve operations but also be good for the environment, saying: “A trust fund would provide a great basis to actually nationwide move forward with passenger rail that is more equitable and more climate friendly.”

On Tuesday, Blumenthal introduced the bicameral Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act with U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) to provide permanent funding for Amtrak. The bicameral legislation would create a dedicated funding stream to help Amtrak invest in major improvement projects, increase passenger rail’s efficiency, and help provide safer, more reliable service. The full text of the Senate legislation can be found here and the bill summary can be found here.

The full transcript of the exchange between Blumenthal and Porcari is copied below.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT): Thank you Madam Chair and thank you for having this hearing. Thank you to the ranking member as well. Secretary Porcari, in the course of your service as Deputy Secretary of Transportation, did you become familiar with the Gateway Project?

Former DOT Deputy Secretary John Porcari: Yes I did Senator.

Blumenthal: And you know about the need to replace the tunnel under the Hudson?

Porcari: Yes Senator.

Blumenthal: That tunnel is decaying, becoming decrepit and severely dangerous, correct?

Porcari: Correct, it’s 110 years old.

Blumenthal: And what’s been the reason, and I apologize for interrupting but as you know we’re limited in time, in your view what’s been the reason for the delay in meeting that very, very urgent need?

Porcari: Senator, it’s the very definition of a project of national significant like the Brent Spence Bridge, I-5 over the Columbia River, and the other examples I mentioned before where the project may be in a jurisdiction or in a region in this case but 20 percent of America’s GDP is represented by the Northeast Corridor…

Blumenthal: What is the reason for the delay, you’re stating, and I agree, that it’s important.

Porcari: The environmental impact statement was under review for over 27 months by the previous DOT leadership with no response.

Blumenthal: The previous DOT leadership being who?

Porcari: Secretary Chao.

Blumenthal: And is there any rational explanation for why there has been that 27 month delay?

Porcari: There is not Senator. It took us 22 months to put it together, which is actually quite fast, but the review, I don’t have an answer.

Blumenthal: I don’t know whether you can respond in writing as to what an answer might be, but I’m not going to press you further because I know that you didn’t come here to talk about that issue. But I do think it’s absolutely unconscionable that it hasn’t moved more quickly. You have said, absolutely correctly, that it is of vital national importance, it is the gateway to the entire eastern region for freight, passenger rail. If it’s crippled, the entire Northeast Corridor is crippled, correct?

Porcari: That is correct Senator.

Blumenthal: Thank you. Let me ask you, later this week or next, I expect to write to President Biden asking him to implement the “CONNECT NEC 2035” plan, it’s a consensus-based plan for Northeast Corridor stakeholders to identify and sequence capital investments. Early estimates suggest implementing the plan would cost approximately $55 billion over the next ten years. I think that is underestimating vastly the amount but I’m using that figure as a place to begin. Can Congress ensure that stakeholders along the Northeast Corridor are empowered to identify and prioritize projects in good state of repair?

Porcari: Yes, I think Congress plays a very important role in that and in particular the Northeast Corridor has done a good job of marshaling consensus opinion on the improvements needed.

Blumenthal: Let me ask you about another proposal. I am the lead drafter of the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act, which would provide a steady source of investment in rail. Every year, Amtrak depends on discretionary appropriations to meet both capital and operating needs. As a result, the company’s abilities to make long terms plans and make effective use of the support the taxpayers provide is compromised. Rail is the only source, the only major type of transportation without a dedicated reliable funding stream. Do you think that the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act is worth support?

Porcari: I do Senator. I think it’s critical that intercity passenger rail be put on an equal footing with the formula highway program that is out there and I mentioned climate change and equity as two really important lenses that we should be looking through here. A trust fund would provide a great basis to actually nationwide move forward with passenger rail that is more equitable and more climate friendly.

Blumenthal: Excellent points, I really thank you for being here today Mr. Secretary. Thanks Madam Chair.

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