Funding for the long-sought Gateway tunnel Carrying Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains under the Hudson River will be part of President Joe Biden’s $ 2 trillion infrastructure proposal, NJ Advance Media has learned.

The plan includes fully funding a backlog of major projects along the northeast corridor, including Gateway, according to an administration official. The proposal includes $ 80 billion for Amtrak and Federal Railways grant and loan programs, according to an administration backgrounder.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of Biden’s scheduled speech on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where he will announce a massive eight-year program to build and repair roads and bridges, improve public transportation, expand broadband and install a national charging network. stations to encourage the switch to electric cars from gasoline vehicles.

Officials in New Jersey and New York have long asked for help from the federal government to build the new tunnel so that existing tubes can be closed to repair damage from Hurricane Sandy.

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Biden’s second massive spending plan, which another administration official says would create millions of new jobs, would track his $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus revival law who understood $ 1,400 in direct payments to most Americans.

The twin programs are designed to boost the U.S. economy as the country slowly reopens after the Coronavirus pandemic closed businesses and workplaces and forced Americans into self-isolation.

The latest proposal will include $ 115 billion for roads and bridges, including efforts to reduce congestion; $ 85 billion for public transit; 174 billion dollars for electric vehicles; $ 25 billion for airports; and $ 300 billion to expand manufacturing.

In addition, $ 50 billion will be spent to make infrastructure more resilient to climate change, including projects in disadvantaged communities; $ 100 billion for high speed Internet; $ 213 billion for affordable housing; and $ 45 billion to replace all lead water pipes. Several cities in New Jersey, especially Newark, found high levels of lead in their drinking water.

There is also $ 5 billion for contaminated sites and Superfund. New Jersey has more Superfund locations than any other state.

Biden plans to pay for his program by reversing some of the corporate tax cuts adopted by President Donald Trump in its law of 2017, including increasing the tax rate to 28% from 21%.

While former President Donald Trump opposed Gateway, even threatening shut down the federal government at one point rather providing federal support, Biden endorsed the project during his successful presidential campaign and since taking office has indicated that his administration would help fund it.

As recently as last week, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told the House Transportation Committee that the administration was moving forward to approve the project, starting with completing a environmental impact statement it was due three years ago.

And the Federal Transit Administration in February, overturn a decision by the Trump administration, said states could use US government loans they have to repay to cover the local portion of a project involving federal funds.

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Jonathan D. Salant can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on @JDSalant.

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