Trump Terminates Hudson Tunnel Project Amid Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday in the Oval Office that funding for the $16 billion Gateway Tunnel project has been “terminated.” This announcement follows the suspension of funding for the major rail tunnel two weeks prior due to the ongoing government shutdown.

During a press conference, Trump criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), stating, “The project in Manhattan — it’s billions and billions of dollars that Schumer has worked 20 years to get. It’s terminated. Tell him it’s terminated.” Trump’s rebuttal came during tense negotiations with Congress over a short-term spending bill needed to reopen the federal government, which has been closed for 15 days.

Schumer quickly responded on X, calling Trump’s remarks “petty revenge politics” that would negatively impact hundreds of thousands of commuters in New York and New Jersey. He emphasized the project’s importance, stating, “Gateway is the most important infrastructure project in America — period.” The planned tunnel aims to connect New York and New Jersey and replace the North River Tunnel, which is over a century old and was damaged during Superstorm Sandy.

On Oct. 1, the first day of the shutdown, Trump’s chief budget director, Russell Vought, announced on social media that about $18 billion in federal funding for infrastructure projects in New York City would be withheld, citing a stance against certain diversity initiatives. The White House has not yet commented on whether the Gateway project will be included in the list of projects set to be canceled.