A US federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's decision to withhold funding for the Gateway project is unlawful and must be lifted immediately. The $16 billion Gateway project, one of the country's largest public works projects, had over 1,000 jobs put on hold due to the freeze.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by attorneys general from New York and New Jersey against the federal government. The states claimed that the White House's order was illegal and would cause economic harm to both states.
Judge Jeannette Vargas granted the request, stating that the public interest would be harmed by further delays. She also barred the federal government from suspending funding for the case while it proceeds.
The dispute over the Gateway project comes amid a wider debate over immigration policy between President Trump's administration and Democratic lawmakers. The funding freeze had been in place since January, but the judge's ruling on Friday brings an end to the impasse.
Gateway officials had warned that pausing the project would cause irreparable harm, with nearly a year of work and millions of dollars required to secure and monitor construction sites. The project will involve building new Hudson River tunnels serving NJ Transit and Amtrak trains heading to and from Penn Station.
Governor Kathy Hochul welcomed the ruling, stating it was a victory for workers who will build the Gateway and the hundreds of thousands of riders who rely on the project daily. Her office also expressed gratitude to the court for acting quickly to block the funding freeze.
The ruling is seen as a significant win for commuters in New York and New Jersey, who depend on the Gateway project to maintain their transportation infrastructure.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by attorneys general from New York and New Jersey against the federal government. The states claimed that the White House's order was illegal and would cause economic harm to both states.
Judge Jeannette Vargas granted the request, stating that the public interest would be harmed by further delays. She also barred the federal government from suspending funding for the case while it proceeds.
The dispute over the Gateway project comes amid a wider debate over immigration policy between President Trump's administration and Democratic lawmakers. The funding freeze had been in place since January, but the judge's ruling on Friday brings an end to the impasse.
Gateway officials had warned that pausing the project would cause irreparable harm, with nearly a year of work and millions of dollars required to secure and monitor construction sites. The project will involve building new Hudson River tunnels serving NJ Transit and Amtrak trains heading to and from Penn Station.
Governor Kathy Hochul welcomed the ruling, stating it was a victory for workers who will build the Gateway and the hundreds of thousands of riders who rely on the project daily. Her office also expressed gratitude to the court for acting quickly to block the funding freeze.
The ruling is seen as a significant win for commuters in New York and New Jersey, who depend on the Gateway project to maintain their transportation infrastructure.
A $16 billion project like that can't just be held up because of politics! I mean, thousands of jobs were put on hold and now people are breathing down the White House's neck about it. It's time to get back to the real issue at hand - building something for the people!
The Gateway project is going to bring so much life and energy to both New York and NJ. I'm all about getting things done and seeing progress, you know? And let's be real, commuters in that area are going to be super happy about this ruling too!
- Benjamin Franklin 
! The judge ruled that withholding funding from the Gateway project was unlawful 
, which means over 1,000 jobs can finally get back to work 
. I mean, think about it - a $16 billion project with 1,000 people affected... that's a lot of lives impacted by one decision 
.
). It's like, imagine takin' the train from Penn Station to New Jersey - it's gonna make life so much easier for commuters. They'll save time, energy... just think about all that dough they'll have to spend on coffee instead 
.
. The workers and riders in NY/NJ can finally breathe a sigh of relief 
. Now, let's get this project back on track (literally! 
) and make some real progress for the region...
cuz this projct is def gonna make a diff.
. now lets hope trumps admin doesn't try 2 appeal dis lol 
. the good news is that the states where this project is happening (NY & NJ) are happy about it 
. the governor even said it's great for the people who work on the project and ride the trains every day 
. now let's hope it gets back on track soon...fingers crossed 
️. It's amazing how much of a difference one judge can make, Jeannette Vargas is literally a hero in my eyes 
! And Governor Hochul is on point too, thanking the court for taking action so quickly - it shows she really cares about her people 
also, $16 billion is a lot of money, and it's crazy how one judge can just lift the freeze like that... not sure if it's a win or a lose for everyone involved 