The White House says the news is the first of several funding announcements for the project expected this year.

“The funding we are announcing today is just one of the many ways we are making New Jersey the best place to start a business, the place to do business, and the place to scale a business in this increasingly interconnected world," said U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez.

The Gateway Development Commission announced it will release a Request for Qualifications for a Project Delivery Partner for the work. According to co-Chair Balpreet Grewal-Virk, “Private industry has told us they are ready to partner and help make sure the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project is built. This moves us another big step in that direction.”

With some installed as far back as the 1930s, the project will upgrade aging 6- and 8-inch cast-iron water lines with new 8-inch ductile iron main in sections of Bernards Township and North Plainfield.

The effort will bring upgrades to facilitate access to the Port of Camden along with improvements to stormwater management in the surrounding areas and neighborhoods. 

According to officials, the project will relieve congestion and improve safety and make a series of enhancements throughout one of the busiest stretches of the roadway, including upgrading traffic signals at 28 intersections, and more.

Awarded through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration and funded via the American Rescue Plan, the money will be used for road and sewer infrastructure improvements to spur economic development.

The funds, which will be spread out over five years, come out of the landmark $1.2 trillion infrastructure package that President Joe Biden signed earlier this year.

The state could get an estimated $6.9 billion for highways and roads, $1.1 billion for bridges, $104 million to boost its electric vehicle infrastructure, and $24.4 million for ferry service, according to U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s office.

Last week, President Joe Biden became the latest prominent Democratic figure to appear with Gov. Phil Murphy in New Jersey as he campaigns for reelection. But while the incumbent attracts big-ticket names to the Garden State, challenger Jack Ciattarelli hasn’t been able to bring out any high-profile national figures from the Republican establishment.

For most of us, if we have a leaky roof or something in our home that needs repair, we save up so that we can fix it. It would be nice if our gas or electric provider would just hand us money for repairs, but that’s just not reality. In a lawsuit over climate change, the city of Hoboken is trying this trick to get money for its own infrastructure projects. By, Michael Thulen Jr. , former president of the Point Pleasant Borough Council.

A plan submitted Aug. 27 to the Federal Transit Administration by the Gateway Development Corp., which is overseeing the construction, noted a $700 million year-over-year increase for the project, from $11.6 billion in 2020 to $12.3 billion now.