Watch CBS News

NJ Transit Wants To Spend Tunnel Money On Trains

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Money meant to build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River might be used to purchase new train cars.

NJ Transit has asked the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority to let it spend $75 million for 100 multilevel coaches.

Gov. Chris Christie scrapped the tunnel project in October because he feared cost overruns. NJ Transit has hired a law firm to fight a $271 million bill to repay federal funds spent on the project.

The Record newspaper reports NJ Transit chief planner Rich Roberts told the authority the new rail cars have already been ordered and are due to arrive in early 2012.

Roberts said multiple sources of funding were available had the tunnel money not been freed up.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.