Overview
- The federal government released an additional $77 million for Gateway, the second court-ordered installment after a $30 million payment, toward roughly $205 million in withheld reimbursements.
- Construction remains paused and about 1,000 workers are off the job, with project officials saying full funding is needed to restart and delays adding significant monthly costs.
- The administration is appealing the district court’s order to the Second Circuit, which has scheduled arguments for Feb. 23.
- President Donald Trump declared the federal government will not cover any cost overruns and labeled the $16 billion tunnel plan a potential “boondoggle.”
- Trump denied originating reported demands to rename Penn Station and Dulles Airport after him in exchange for releasing funds, though NBC News reported his team made the ask and his press secretary said he floated the idea, a claim Senator Chuck Schumer called “an absolute lie.”