Flashinglights0101 OP t1_j6mwsyo wrote
Reply to comment by PracticableSolution in In light of Biden announcing funding for the Hudson tunnels, let’s not forget Chris Christie canceled the original project which would have been done by now and cost half as much. by Flashinglights0101
For a project of this size, complexity and scope, it is always going to be underbaked. This project is going to go over budget, full stop. Even if we spent another decade planning, it will still go over budget. But I would rather have a project go over budget with pre-Covid construction costs than have to pay what current costs are. We should be thankful there was not another disaster that could have closed the tunnels.
Sagacious_Sapien t1_j6nal0j wrote
Most projects are designed with a 10% to 20% contingency; not 200%. The original was ABSOLUTELY half-baked and it should have been canceled since NJ would have been left holding the bag.
Now that the feds are ponying up more, it is not a win in Phil Murphy's column. Had the Federal government stepped up before, you're right, it would have been done by now.
An even better plan would be to invest in a fully integrated mass transit system instead of relying on highways that only have a lifespan of 20 years.
PracticableSolution t1_j6mygq6 wrote
You take that argument to the NJ and NY statehouses and the taxpayers. Let me know how it works out for you. I’ll wait here
Flashinglights0101 OP t1_j6n2u52 wrote
NJ & NY agreed to the deal, Christie torpedoed it. Port Authority, Amtrak, Fed government, New Jersey and New York all agreed. Christie came in last minute and walked away. Later on we find out it is because he needed to use the funds to prevent the gas tax.
PracticableSolution t1_j6n5k85 wrote
He used the funds a few different places including dumping insane cash into the Pulaski Skyway, the wisdom of which, could be a separate and equally galling discussion
wynnejs t1_j6n5faf wrote
Which ended up being raised anyway
Stunning_Blueberry_3 t1_j6o1uq5 wrote
Each time my husband made his daily commute to the city and back, whenever it stormed, I was worried about that damn tunnel.
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