Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) on Wednesday convened a bipartisan group of leaders from across New Jersey to discuss the future of the Gateway Project and to urge that federal funding for the initiative be reinstated.

Participants in the discussion included Congressman Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Congresswoman Nellie Pou (NJ-09), several municipal mayors, Somerset County Commissioner Melanie Marano, and labor representative Mike Hellstrom of LiUNA.

The group emphasized that the Gateway Project — a large-scale effort to modernize the region’s transit infrastructure — is vital for safety, economic development, and job creation across the state.

“This isn’t a Democratic or Republican project; it’s one that helps all New Jerseyans,” said Senator Kim, noting that the project supports thousands of workers and commuters.

Congressman Menendez said that significant progress has already been made on the project and that canceling funding could disrupt growth and job opportunities. Congresswoman Pou called Gateway “a lifeline for New Jersey,” highlighting its potential to improve safety and reduce congestion.

Local officials, including mayors from Raritan, Clinton, Dunnellen, Fanwood, Cranford, and others, also voiced concern about the project’s possible termination. They said Gateway supports local economic development and helps sustain Main Street communities tied to commuter rail lines.

Representatives from the Raritan Valley Line Mayors Alliance and organized labor echoed those points, saying that the project represents both an infrastructure investment and a promise of safety and reliability for commuters.

The meeting followed a recent announcement from the federal government halting approximately $18 billion in funding for the project. The Gateway Program, which includes construction of new Hudson River rail tunnels and rehabilitation of existing ones, has been viewed as a key component of improving transportation between New Jersey and New York.