Christie: I'm Sticking With Decision to Scrap Tunnel

Governor says he's scratching the nation's biggest public works project

The governor of New Jersey says he's sticking with his decision to scratch the nation's biggest public works project.

Gov. Chris Christie said in a release Wednesday ahead of a planned news conference that the cash-strapped Garden State can't afford to pay for cost overruns on the $9 billion-plus rail tunnel to New York City.

New Jersey's share is $2.7 billion, plus overruns. The federal government is paying for about a third of the tunnel.

Christie, a rising star in the Republican Party for his fearless budget-slashing, had pulled the plug on the project two weeks ago but reconsidered at the behest of federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Construction began last year on the tunnel, which has been in the works for 20 years. Officials estimated it would provide 6,000 construction jobs immediately.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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