NY/NJ Cross Harbor Freight Program Enters Second Review Phase
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey awarded a $23.7
million agreement to Cross Harbor Partners, a joint venture of
STV Incorporated/AKRF Inc., to undertake the Tier II
Environmental Impact Statement for the Cross Harbor Freight
Program at the port.
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.
Feb 9, 2018