Good morning Commissioners,

My name is Josh Berman, and I’m the Campaigns Manager with Regional Plan Association, a non profit organization working for a more livable region, and the convener of the Build Gateway Now coalition.

For decades, the Hudson Tunnel Project has been the most urgent infrastructure project in our nation. This project ensures that hundreds of thousands of commuters will have reliable train service upon completion and for many many years to come. Without this project we are in danger of major service disruptions that could upend people’s lives.

After so many years of advocacy and effort to get this vital undertaking off the ground, the progress achieved in just the first year of construction is remarkable. The speed with which the Gateway Development Commission team has been able to initiate projects and advance construction is a clear testament to their dedication and the immense effort being put in by everyone involved.

The new economic analysis shared by GDC staff today shows that the Hudson Tunnel Project is not only a long-term investment for our future; it is actively benefiting our economy right now. At RPA we have long understood the critical role this tunnel will play in our country’s sustained economic growth but, seeing how this project has already created good jobs and generated significant economic activity underscores the tangible positive impacts of this essential work.

Finally, I want to commend the Commission on the addition of Cathy Rinaldi to the team as GDC’s first Executive Vice President. She is an expert leader with a proven track record of delivering for riders. Everyone who relies on train travel in our region should be very glad that someone with her expertise and dedication is now contributing to the successful completion of this essential project. We look forward to working collaboratively with her moving forward.

Thank you for your time and for your continued commitment to this vital project.