Thank you, Commissioners and the entire GDC team for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Josh Berman, and I am here representing the Build Gateway Now coalition, a coalition of 52 business, labor and civic organizations all focused on building support for the Gateway program.

Today we want to recognize that GDC is following through on the Board’s commitment to deliver this essential project for millions of riders and for the economic vitality of our region.

Across New York and New Jersey, we’ve seen steady advancement at multiple sites, from major structural work to the launch of new construction activities that are building the foundation for the full tunnel. This year brought major milestones, including completing key early construction work like the Tonnelle Avenue bridge structure and excavating the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing 3 trench under the Highline as well as preparing the project for the next phase of tunneling with the manufacturing of the first pair of tunnel boring machines. The scale and pace of progress over the past twelve months speaks to the dedication and expertise of the entire GDC team.

The Build Gateway Now Coalition wants to underscore why it is so important to keep this momentum going. The existing North River Tunnel entered its 116th year of service last month. Every delay or service disruption is a reminder of why the Hudson Tunnel Project remains the most urgent passenger rail project in the nation. After decades of planning and setbacks, we are finally making real, tangible progress toward fixing the biggest chokepoint on the Northeast Corridor.

This is an opportunity to show that America can still build big, transformative infrastructure. We urge leaders in Washington, Trenton, and Albany to continue working collaboratively with GDC to ensure the project stays on schedule. Together, we can finally deliver the reliable, modern rail system that riders deserve and our economy depends on.

Thank you.