Race Against Time for a New Tunnel

Five years after Superstorm Sandy severely damaged the Hudson River’s only passenger rail tunnel, there’s still no firm plan for a replacement. Commuters should pray they won’t have to swim to work.

But Team Trump is questioning the financing plan from Govs. Cuomo and Chris Christie of New Jersey. A tentative deal with Team Obama had the feds splitting the $13 billion cost with the two states. To cover their share, the govs want to borrow from

the feds. A US Department of Transportation spokeswoman last week called that not “serious,” since all the upfront money would be coming from Washington.

But no one expects a train tunnel to be paid for in cash. The states must borrow from

someone, and federal loans, which generally offer the best interest rates, are needed to make the project affordable.

Here’s the real problem: The existing 107year-old ailing tunnel isn’t getting any younger. If it fails before a new one’s built, Amtrak and NJ Transit riders are screwed.

Fortunately, President Trump vows to shore up US infrastructure; his folks are expected to put out a plan for that next year.

Plus, the Partnership for New York City’s Kathy Wylde says Team Trump “repeatedly assured” her it sees the tunnel as a “priority.” She “can’t imagine” it won’t get done.

If you can’t swim, better hope she’s right.