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NJ Temporarily Halts Work On Tunnel Project

TRENTON, N.J. (AP / WCBS 880) -- New Jersey has temporarily halted all new work and suspended additional contract bids on an $8.7 billion rail tunnel to Manhattan.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Levon Putney reports

The decision comes amid concern from federal officials that the project may go as much as a billion dollars over budget -- money New Jersey doesn't have.

James Weinstein, New Jersey Transit's executive director, told The Star-Ledger of Newark that the monthlong suspension of all new activity will be used to re-examine the budget numbers. He also hopes to use the time to prove to all parties involved that the project's $8.7 billion cost estimate is accurate.

Work already under way on the tunnel, including a track underpass in North Bergen and a tunnel segment under the Palisades, will be allowed to continue during the suspension.

(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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