A new tunnel could support a heavily used road
Manhattan: We agree with a Daily News editorial titled “Mark Molinaro’s Mission” (October 14) that federal Transportation Administrator Molinaro and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have greatly improved transparency by publicly sharing project monitoring reports on mega projects like Gateway’s Hudson River Tunnel. We also applaud their focus – and that of the Gateway Development Committee – on saving millions, if not billions, by moving such projects along more quickly.
But we disagree with the editorial’s arguments about the benefits and compatibility of the new tunnel. For more than 115 years, the two existing Hudson River tubes have been a crossing point at the center of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor service between Boston and Washington. Its age — and the extensive saltwater flooding damage it sustained from Superstorm Sandy, which accelerated its deterioration — portends an infrastructure failure that could cripple East Coast train service. This could cost the region billions of dollars in economic activity.
The new two-tube tunnel will not only provide redundancy similar to that provided by Amtrak’s four tubes under the East River on the other side of Manhattan, but it also promises additional capacity for Penn Station in the future.
The second point is that the project is more in sync with Amtrak’s Penn Station redevelopment project now that USDOT and Amtrak have brought world-renowned transportation and rail expert Andy Byford on board. It is now focusing on improving passenger and train capacity “within the existing train base”, which makes assumptions about the final alignment of the new tunnel premature. Robert J. Wessels, Executive Director, New York General Contractors Association
Unprincipled officials
Brooklyn: Traditional Republican Party principles include states’ rights, small government, and promoting economic growth in America. There’s something very wrong when President Trump happily announces that he will cancel federal funding for the Gateway Tunnel project just to spite Senator Chuck Schumer. This project is vital to shoring up the crumbling infrastructure damaged by Superstorm Sandy that the entire Northeast Corridor—and thus the entire U.S. economy—depends on. Not to mention the thousands of jobs scheduled to be created to do infrastructure improvement work. Why does the Republican Party still agree with Trump when it prioritizes personal vendettas over job creation, economic growth, and the safety of the millions of Americans who travel this route every day? So how do Republican elected officials in Congress manage mind games to convince themselves that his petty whims are consistent with the party’s principles? Grow your backbone and defend your values! Catherine Raymond
Aristocratic folly
OAKLAND GARDENS: We’re heading into another week of government shutdown. Many of our American citizens who were government employees will not receive a check that will help them feed their families, pay rent, pay medical bills, and in some cases, help them get a job they still have to go to. There was a queen who was told that her people had no bread, and her answer was: “Let them eat cake.” Leadership starts from the top. So, Mr. President, instead of talking about layoffs, how about we talk about finding a solution to this shutdown? You show your insensitivity to the people of this country and the people affected by this lockdown while eating cake. Zen Tenenbaum
Above the conflict
Breezy Point: What’s wrong with this picture? Americans are not getting paid, and these morons in Congress are still getting paid. Outrageous! Queen of manganese
Wallet snatcher
Manhattan: I’m deeply concerned (unfortunately, regularly these days) by Trump’s congressionally mandated funding cuts. Does anyone else remember weird American traditions from high school history lessons, like the separation of powers and coequal branches of government? Trump was not the only person elected last November, but also a third of the Senate and all members of the House of Representatives, who is supposed to hold the reins. However, the Trump administration has been recklessly cutting spending cuts approved by Congress all year. Trump, encouraged by the lack of action by our leaders, believes he should be able to direct the money any way he wants. One of his most recent outbursts was his attempt to stop funding anti-terrorism efforts in New York City at the same time as he sent $40 billion to rescue his friend in Argentina. Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries must keep the Democratic Party united and not accept the GOP budget until this lawless executive power is firmly restrained. Brooke Pierce
Drop shipment
Rockaway Park: Is Trump kidding with this follow-up to John Bolton’s accusation of mishandling classified documents? The FBI found more than 1,300 classified documents randomly scattered throughout Mar-a-Lago after Trump left office in 2020. Trump is the person who should be prosecuted for this type of crime. I don’t know if Bolton is guilty or not, but this is definitely the pot calling the kettle black. John Donohue
Mafioso mo
Barnegat, NJ: I’m reminded of a scene in the movie “The Godfather” where a mob boss declares that his rival mob boss, known as the Don, “has all the judges and politicians in his back pocket.” Looks like we have a don who fits that description. Jerry Cirillo
Demand accountability
Copiago, Lee: Dictators and tyrants promise order in a chaotic world—“vindication” and “revenge.” They claim to embody the values and interests of the people. History has enough ugly examples of how those promises were implemented. It’s not the American way I was taught in public schools. However, about a third of voters either yearn for strongman rule or are willing to tolerate it. But for those who do not, our current political situation must be troubling. Some might say that 2026 will be the last election that might make a difference, and that the current administration is actively dismantling the parts of government that ordinary people depend on. Assuming this is true, I implore even lifelong Republicans to put brand loyalty aside and hold every Republican candidate accountable, either by holding their noses and voting Democratic or by withholding their votes from even deserving Republicans with great policy ideas. Mitch Kessler
The ideal candidate
Seaford, Illinois: What are the odds that recently paroled convicted felon George Santos will be appointed White House social secretary and event planner for the $200 million Trump Ballroom when it’s completed? Tom Downs
Proven track record
REGO PARK: Those of us who lived in New York City during the 1970s remember how scary the place was sometimes. Crime, graffiti and fires spread. We remember what a relief it was to see Curtis Sliwa’s guardian angels walking across subway cars to provide a semblance of safety and to help deter crime. Sliwa is the only candidate who always has the best interests of New Yorkers in mind, the only candidate who has done anything good for the city, and the only candidate who will deliver as mayor. Oreg Tuttle
Only Cuomo matters
Brooklyn: Mayoral debate proves Sliwa hates Andrew Cuomo. Most of his attacks were on Cuomo when they should have been on Zahran Mamdani. I fear his hatred for Cuomo is so great that he will remain in the race to beat him and be nothing more than a spoiler. Sliwa has no chance of being mayor based on registration calculations and Sliwa’s 312,385 votes in 2021. He goes on to say Cuomo lost badly in the Democratic primary. And that’s only because only 23% of registered Democrats turned out to vote. If the vote had been 50%, Cuomo would have won easily. We need 50% or more of registered Democrats to come out to vote for Cuomo on November 4 to save our city from this anti-Semitic racist with an elementary school economics education who will come back to haunt New Yorkers. Under Mamdani, New York City can only get worse. David DiBello
Disobedience
Suffern, N.Y.: In the fifth inning, when Blue Jays outfielder Max Scherzer yelled at manager John Schneider’s approach to keep him in the game, it reminded me of a story former Cardinals catcher Tim McCarver used to tell about his Hall of Fame player Bob Gibson. At one point, McCarver took two steps to get out and talk to Gibson, who yelled at him to get back behind the plate. Rick Sinclair
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