Congressman Nadler announced on March 5th that he has secured $156 million in stimulus funding to help complete the new Fulton Street Transit Center in Lower Manhattan. The new hub is located just blocks from the World Trade Center site but has faced a number of setbacks since its groundbreaking in 2004. From the press release:
“The Fulton Street Transit Center represents a significant new boost to New York City’s subway system, and an important economic development initiative for Lower Manhattan,” said Nadler. “This major project will generate good construction and transit jobs, better connect Downtown’s subway grid, and provide much-need investment in a neighborhood that is still rebuilding since 9/11.”
The facilities are set to open in 2014. The MTA has already used millions of dollars in stimulus funding to help pay for the project.
While the additional $156 million will be welcomed by the state agency, the funding priorities in this situation raise a number of concerns.
The MTA is telling New Yorkers it faces a budget gap of nearly $800 million. To make up the difference, the agency is planning on cutting back service on subways and buses, completely eliminating some routes. New York City school children are also being told at this point that the MTA will stop subsidizing their daily commute.
A spokesperson with Nadler’s office did indicate the congressman was working with the MTA to see how the Federal government could help keep the service cuts from happening. Still, for New Yorkers furious with the state agency over the proposed cuts, putting stimulus funds into a project already way over budget, while kids are being told they’ll have to pay to get to school, could be a situation Congressman Nadler and the MTA find hard to justify to the public.