The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has sent New Jersey a second and final notice, directing the state to repay $271.1 million in federal funds disbursed for a $9.1-billion rail-tunnel project that Gov. Chris Christie (R) canceled last October. The Access to the Region's Core was to be a nine-mile commuter rail link under the Hudson River, from Secaucus, N.J., to midtown Manhattan.
DOT's Federal Transit Administration in November issued its first formal demand that the state repay the money. New Jersey reviewed the amount of the repayment claim and examined FTA project records. In a final decision issued on April 29, FTA said Christie and New Jersey Transit (NJT) “terminated the project for reasons manifestly within their control” and must repay the funds.