- Court Rules Trump Administration's Hudson Tunnel Funding Suspension Was Unlawful
- Delays Will Extend Richmond-San Rafael Bridge ORT Conversion Project
- Idaho Transportation Department Has A New Leader
- Subscription Information
This is a Subscribers-Only area. If you are a subscriber, please login. If not...
Become a Subscriber Today »
Court Rules Trump Administration's Hudson Tunnel Funding Suspension Was Unlawful
NJ.com and Construction Dive report that on June 30, a federal trial judge ruled that the Trump administration’s September 2025 suspension of committed funding for the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) Hudson Tunnel Project was unlawful and is permanently enjoined from enforcement.
In early February, the plaintiffs, the states of New York and New Jersey, obtained a temporary injunction barring the funds suspension after GDC ran out of money to sustain tunnel work and keep almost 1,000 laborers employed. The two states are GDC’s partners in a $16 billion rail corridor restoration program that is currently considered the nation’s most expensive and critical transportation infrastructure undertaking. USDOT complied with the injunction and restored the flow of grant funds after failing to convince an appeals court to intercede.
In this week’s ruling, Judge Jeannette Vargas found that USDOT’s action was not based on any finding that GDC had violated the law. She also concluded that federal officials illegally blocked the flow of grant money without giving GDC an opportunity to appeal.
The White House precipitated the September suspension order issued by USDOT. President Trump’s initial rationale for withholding funds had nothing to do with the merits of GDC’s program, and he seemed heedless of warnings a freeze would eventually cause a work to stop. In public remarks and through spokespersons, he said the suspension was tied to a USDOT review of disadvantaged business enterprise contracting rules. However, it was widely reported that Trump’s real intent was to gain leverage in last fall’s budget dispute with congressional Democrats. The suspension outlived that dispute. Subsequent statements from the White House suggested the refusal to resume funding was pushback against immigration law enforcement reforms sought by members of Congress, particularly Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), a chief supporter of the GDC program.
Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Gateway Program (Northeast US Rail Tunnels Project) Issues of Law New Jersey New York New York City US Department of Transportation (USDOT) US Gov't Transportation Funding US Infrastructure Funding And Financing InitiativesDelays Will Extend Richmond-San Rafael Bridge ORT Conversion Project
The $18 million Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Open Road Tolling Project that started this spring is now scheduled to stretch until February 2027, Bay City News Service (via SFGATE) reports. Funded by the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA), the conversion project was originally slated to wrap up in December, and the closure of a Richmond-San Rafael Bridge on-ramp was to last only about a month between June and July. However, Caltrans announced that the ramp closure will remain in effect for the duration of the project to improve its project workflow and enhance worker safety.
A detour for the westbound ramp involves using the eastbound highway to circle back toward the bridge. Occasional ramp closures are also occurring nearby due to an ongoing fiber optic project.
BATA has embarked on a project to convert all seven state-owned bridges in the Bay Area to ORT.
AET (All-Electronic Tolling) Bay Area Toll Authority (San Francisco) (BATA) California Caltrans (CA Department of Transportation) Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Open-Road Tolling San Francisco Bay Area (CA)Idaho Transportation Department Has A New Leader
On July 1, Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) announced that he appointed Alberto Gonzalez to serve as Idaho Transportation Department director. Mr. Gonzalez replaces ITD veteran Scott Stokes, who retired on June 30.
Before his appointment, Mr. Gonzalez was the state’s Chief Information Officer and Administrator of the Idaho Office of Information Technology Services for more than 20 years. Previously, he directed modernization efforts as administrator of the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles and held technology leadership roles at state health and welfare agencies. He is a graduate of the National Transportation Leadership Institute at Indiana University.
Legislation that took effect on July 1 makes the ITD director a gubernatorial appointee subject to senate confirmation. Previously, the director was appointed by the state transportation board.
Appointments-Promotions-Retirements Idaho Idaho Transportation DepartmentSubscription Information
If you’re not already a Daily News Briefs subscriber and you want a complete picture of today’s news, click here or call 717-991-2823 for information. If you’re a newcomer to TollRoadsNews.com, try a free trial.