SECAUCUS – On the heels of federal environmental approval, Governor Jon S. Corzine, flanked by Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, announced that the Mass Transit Tunnel is now ready to move forward into construction this year.  The group emphasized that the project is vital to the stimulation of the New Jersey economy, and will provide the long-term benefit of doubling commuter rail traffic between New York and New Jersey. The project now needs the infusion of federal funds to begin construction and create 6,000 new jobs. The Mass Transit Tunnel project received a major boost on Wednesday when the Federal Transit Administration issued a Record of Decision, concluding the rigorous federal environmental review and setting the stage for final design, federal funding and construction.  Joined by officials from NJ TRANSIT and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the elected leaders said the Mass Transit Tunnel and other such transit projects will help deliver the immediate economic impact that the recovery package will require, while producing long-term economic and environmental benefits, as well as capacity for future workforce growth and improved regional competitiveness.   “New Jersey has a multitude of transportation projects ready to go within months of receiving federal stimulus funding, including $600 million in preliminary work on the state’s signature project, the Mass Transit Tunnel,” Governor Corzine said. “Our delegation’s hard work advancing this project in Washington D.C. is paying off for our residents, and we are closer to putting shovels in the ground.”    Governor Corzine also hailed the work of Senator Lautenberg, Senator Menendez and the entire congressional delegation in bringing the project to this milestone.    “This new tunnel will be critical to our region's future and will help ensure that New Jersey commuters have reliable, convenient and energy-efficient transit options for years to come,” Senator Lautenberg said.  “We fought hard to get the Federal Transit Authority to let us move forward with the tunnel project and we are proud the tunnel is now shovel-ready.  We will keep fighting to reduce congestion and modernize public transit.  Our work to secure this approval is a significant step in the right direction.”   Senator Menendez said, “We are going to pass an economic recovery package in Congress by Presidents’ Day, and our main goal is to create jobs fast, so there’s going to be an emphasis on ready-to-go projects. This vital tunnel is a prime example of a mass transit project that we can get going immediately, creating jobs, bringing money back to our state, making our commutes faster and our communities greener. I’ll be fighting for mass transit funding in the package, so that we can get shovels in the ground and people to work on projects like this.”   “This federal approval represents a major step toward getting shovels in the ground to build the mass-transit rail tunnel,” said Anthony Coscia, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “We are hopeful that this Federal Transit Administration decision will help ensure necessary funding for this critical project in the upcoming stimulus package under consideration by President-elect Barack Obama and Congress.” New Jersey Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman Stephen Dilts highlighted the importance of the congressional delegations efforts in Washington D.C. for New Jersey residents. “This project will improve the lives of New Jersey citizens for generations, helping them spend more time with their families and less time in traffic,” said Dilts.  “ARC will revolutionize rail service, not just to New York but within New Jersey, providing more robust service here at Lautenberg Station the core of NJ TRANSIT’s rail system, and throughout the network,” said Richard R. Sarles, Executive Director of NJ TRANSIT.  “I want to thank our congressional delegation for their tireless support for mass transit and this project.” “With unemployment rates in NJ rising -- especially in the construction industry -- the Federal Transit Agency signing the record of decision for this project, could not come at a better time,” said Congressman Albio Siries. “The importance of this project -- in terms of creating jobs and spurring economic growth -- can not be overstated.”    “Now that this critical infrastructure project qualifies for federal funding, it is up to all of us to make sure that these funds become available,” said Congressman Steven R. Rothman.  “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, this will be my number one priority for transportation funding. I look forward to working with everyone here today to complete this project as soon as possible.” “FTA approval of the tunnel is a major milestone that the people of New Jersey can be proud of,” stated Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. “After years of careful consideration and planning we have developed a project that will be transformative to the region. It will create jobs immediately, provide cleaner air, a more efficient way to travel and a better quality of life in the Garden State. The new tunnel will allow 44 million new passenger trips annually, taking tens of thousands of cars off our congested roadways.  The Mass Transit Tunnel is the antithesis of a bridge -- or a tunnel -- that goes nowhere.” “I could not be more pleased that the project cleared one of its final hurdles before construction of the tunnel can start. This project will create 6,000 new jobs in the construction industry in New Jersey, stimulating our state's economy,” said Congressman Rush Holt.  “Projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create new jobs are exactly what our nation needs right now, and the approval of the EIS could not be timelier.” The existing 100-year-old commuter rail tunnel under the Hudson River has only two tracks that are pushed to their functional limits each rush hour with NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak trains. The Mass Transit Tunnel will more than double peak capacity from 23 trains per hour to 48. In addition to two new side-by-side single-track tunnels, the project will create new station capacity in Manhattan designed specifically for commuter rail service with wider platforms and more escalators. The new tracks will provide direct access to NYC subway lines, PATH trains and existing Penn Station services.###