Who is paying for this tunnel’s value overruns?
Great Neck, L.I.: “The runaway train” (editorial, May 29) in regards to the proposed Gateway Tunnel venture is paying homage to the continuing MTA’s Long Island Rail Road East Side Access to Grand Central Terminal venture. In 2001, the preliminary estimated value was $3.5 billion with a completion date in 2011. The unique Full Funding Grant Agreement between the Federal Transit Administration and the MTA was permitted in December 2006. The $2.63 billion of FTA grant funding towards a $6.3 billion venture value stays unchanged (nearly all of which has already been spent). The whole value as we speak is $11.2 billion, with the MTA having to cowl the $5 billion and rising value overruns.
Under any FTA FFGA, the recipient of funding is chargeable for any value overruns. This doesn’t embrace $4 billion extra for oblique prices generally known as “readiness projects” carried offline from the official venture finances. These are the $2.6 billion Main Line third observe, $450 million Jamaica capability, $387 million Ronkonkoma double observe, $120 million Ronkonkoma yard growth and $44 million Great Neck pocket observe, simply to call just a few that help direct implementation for east aspect entry. Are the Gateway Development Commission, Amtrak, NJTransit and Govs. Phil Murphy and Kathy Hochul ready to pay for unanticipated Gateway value overruns?
In 2015, the estimated value for the full-scope Gateway Tunnel grew by $3.9 billion, from $20 billion to $23.9 billion, and in 2017, to $29.1 billion. The estimated value as we speak is now $33 billion. Will this value proceed to extend over time to $40, $50 and even $60 billion? Will Gateway be accomplished by 2040 somewhat than the promised 2029 date? Gateway is destined to be our model of the notorious Boston Big Dig. Larry Penner
Name names
Huntington Station, L.I.: Rep. Lee Zeldin is seen in his frequent commercials emoting earlier than a loud crowd stating that he’s “suspicious of those in government who say parents should not be more involved in their children’s education.” I might be suspicious, too, if I had ever heard anybody in “government” say something like that. Calls to Zeldin’s native workplace and marketing campaign have been ignored and his web site is only for information assortment to get donations. I name upon Zeldin to specify precisely who, if anybody, mentioned that. Ann Rita D’Arcy
Unceasing
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.: Great column by Harry Siegel addressing the nation’s gun management issues (”America endures an limitless evening of the hunter,” June 5). Robert Mitchum was nice in “The Night of the Hunter.” Harry can hearken to Bruce Springsteen’s late Eighties music “Cautious Man,” a tune impressed by the movie. President Biden is doing his greatest to handle the gun challenge however there are too many mindless hurdles to beat. Matt Engel
Measure the response
Manhattan: I’m so sick and uninterested in these feckless politicians disseminating these nonsensical soundbites merely to sound decisive and outraged. These faculty shootings are utterly sickening. No one might probably disagree with that. But the reply is to not throw the newborn out with the bathwater. It is the job of lawmakers to maintain weapons out of the arms of people who shouldn’t have them, to not eviscerate the Second Amendment and punish law-abiding, accountable adults who wish to carry a firearm for authentic functions, as is their proper. We don’t outlaw motor autos as a result of they’re typically used irresponsibly. We shouldn’t do this with firearms both. No, it’s not a straightforward job however then once more, we don’t want politicians to do the straightforward jobs. We want them to manipulate. Robert Medoro
Constitutional proper
Brookfield, Conn.: To Voicer Sterling Waterman: You make plenty of suppositions in your letter, however do that: Since a Black man is extra prone to be shot by one other Black man than by anybody else, suppose a legislation was handed barring Black individuals from proudly owning firearms. I’ll wager each Democrat within the nation could be up in arms (pun meant) demanding a repeal of that legislation and citing the Second Amendment as the explanation. Fred Schoeneborn
Confiscated
Brooklyn: I keep in mind working with a person who bragged about all of the weapons he had in his home. He was robbed quite a few instances and his weapons had been taken in every theft. In reality, on at the very least one event, the stolen weapons had been supposedly utilized in a theft. Without this particular person bragging about his weapons, they’d not have been stolen. They clearly didn’t stop the crimes however truly inspired them. Gun house owners should act responsibly and there’s no one reply to cease crime. Alan Podhaizer
Personal security
Brooklyn: It has develop into an issue to differentiate true gun house owners who move a rigorous background test earlier than proudly owning one from criminals who don’t have any concern to be licensed and don’t have any regard for human life. They use weapons to commit robberies or struggle with rival gangs, even to simply commit crimes of hate. Normal, trustworthy, working individuals have to be on their guard touring on mass transit or strolling the streets day and evening. No marvel persons are afraid, particularly at evening, of out-of-control crime. I can solely hope the Supreme Court permits hid carry. The police appear powerless to cease crime due to lax judges and district attorneys within the courtroom system. Time to separate the criminals and hardworking individuals. Businesses want to have the ability to shield themselves too. Allow law-abiding residents the flexibility to not be targets. Joseph V. Comperchio
Lethal potential
Astoria: Gonzalo Lopez, the animal who slaughtered a grandfather and 4 grandsons, is proof constructive of the need of the demise penalty. Lopez was in for all times for homicide. Had he been executed, these 5 individuals could be alive. Bradley Morris
Liability
Seaside Heights, N.J.: I’m a lifelong Yankee fan. I keep in mind the excellent gamers of the previous and current who wore the pinstripes with satisfaction and distinction. That mentioned, I additionally keep in mind these gamers who proved to be disappointments. The Yankees group of 2022 has what it takes to develop into World Series champions. However, I’ve to query why the Yankees proceed to retain the providers of Joey Gallo. Frankly talking, if Old Man Steinbrenner had been nonetheless round, Gallo would have been gone a very long time in the past. So far, he’s batting manner beneath 200, he struck out about 60 instances and he’s on base lower than 30% of the time. With numbers like these, Gallo is an asset for the opposing group. It is about time the Yankees minimize ties with him. They ought to do what the Mets did with Robinson Cano and designate Gallo for project. Igor La Manna
Priced out
East Meadow, L.I.: Isn’t it sufficient that many Yankees followers can’t afford to go see video games on the stadium? Now they must miss video games on tv except they pay for Amazon Prime or Apple channels. Really, Steinbrenner household? Jeff Tuck
Delayed response
Union, N.J.: I wish to know what time your newspaper goes to print. These previous few Rangers video games with large wins haven’t been lined within the paper the next day however they’ve been in different New York papers. Karen Scanio
Doofus
Howard Beach: Voicer Tom Ascher makes enjoyable of Joe Biden’s communication abilities, however how was Donald Trump described by the individuals who labored for him? Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis mentioned that Trump had the mind of a fifth- or sixth-grader. Others who labored for him referred to as him an fool, dope and moron. Maybe, Mr. Ascher, you’ll rationalize that the individuals who labored for him and knew him greatest had some ax to grind. After all, a MAGA supporter’s cult worship of Trump is plain. Barbara Berg
Problematic allies
Little Egg Harbor, N.J.: While persons are celebrating homosexual satisfaction month in our nation, our authorities is pleading with Iran and Saudi Arabia to extend oil manufacturing. I believe the LGBTQ teams within the U.S. would disagree with the way in which these international locations deal with homosexual individuals, but there may be not a touch of demanding a boycott of those international locations’ oil. I suppose they solely wish to put strain on American corporations with American staff. William Cook
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Source: www.bostonherald.com