NY/NJ Cross Harbor Freight Program Enters Second Review Phase

The aim of the Cross Harbor Freight Program is to reduce roadway congestion attributed to goods movement across the New York/New Jersey Harbor.

The Tier II review is expected to take up to three years; it will provide more detailed analysis of the environmental effects and potential mitigation measures for two preferred alternatives identified in the prior Tier 1 study. The two preferred options are construction of a cross harbor freight tunnel and the expansion of the Port Authority's existing railcar float operation.

The rail tunnel alternative calls for construction of a four-mile freight tunnel running from Jersey City, N.J. to Brooklyn, N.Y. under New York Harbor. The railcar float alternative would greatly expand the existing car float system currently operated by New York New Jersey Rail, LLC, a wholly owned entity of the Port Authority since 2008, and would include new transfer bridges, car floats, locomotives and tracks.

The review, which will include extensive outreach to all stakeholders, including elected officials and the public, will provide The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and other regional agencies with cost and benefits of each alternative. The recommended alternative or alternatives would require additional funding for the next phase of development, which entails preliminary engineering.