Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Christie: "We're Not Paying For ARC," Feds: "Yes You Are"
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Apr 30, 2011
Modified Apr 30, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Apr 30, 2011
Modified Apr 30, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After scrapping the plan for the Trans-Hudson ARC tunnel (because it was too expensive), Governor Chris Christie said in no way is New Jersey paying back the $271 million owed to the federal government. But yesterday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood rejected the state's arguments and ordered them to repay the debt, on which interest is already growing. LaHood said he traveled to New Jersey to salvage the project after Christie cancelled it, and wrote, "The purpose of my efforts was to avoid the very circumstance in which we now find ourselves: No jobs, no congestion relief and an enduring debt whereby New Jersey must return $271 million to the nation's taxpayers."
It seems like Christie is still fighting the payments; spokesman Kevin Roberts said, "We disagree with the FTA's conclusion and its continued efforts to bill New Jersey taxpayers for completed work that will be of substantial value to future transportation projects not just in New Jersey, but in the Northeast corridor." He also claimed that the state was unable to continue with the ARC for "reasons beyond the state’s control."
LaHood said the DOT is not above “withholding future state funding from a wide variety of sources" if Jersey doesn't pay up, but that "in consideration of the current economic challenges burdening New Jersey and all other states, I am not pursuing these collection methods at this time in the hope that we and the state of New Jersey can develop a workable payment schedule." Like by next Christmas eve?
Tagged
arc
Chris Christie
dot
ray lahood
trans hudson tunnel
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
We were the victim': Brooklyn shelter's new CEO speaks after corruption scandal
The new leader acknowledges BHRAGS Home Care lacked basic financial and compliance systems as its city shelter contracts ballooned.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 2, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ET
Badly burned body found in a trashed and abandoned Jamaica Queens lot, NYPD says
The remains belonged to a man officials have yet to identify.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Badly burned body found in a trashed and abandoned Jamaica Queens lot, NYPD says
The remains belonged to a man officials have yet to identify.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Brooklyn DA brings back warrant-clearing event as quality-of-life tickets surge
By
Ben Feuerherd
Hochul names NY AG James as special prosecutor on rape case at Cornell University
By
Jon Campbell
Founder of NYC LGBTQ therapy practice charged with rape after alleged sexual assaults
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .