President Biden took center stage at a news conference in Manhattan Tuesday, announcing a $292 million federal infrastructure grant designed to preserve the critical underground approach route to brand-new railroad tunnels beneath the Hudson River — the centerpiece of the long-delayed $16 billion Gateway Project. It’s a priority for the president nicknamed “Amtrak Joe,” who said, “…we finally have the money and we’re going to get it done, I promise you. We’re going to get it done.” The grant will fund the third and final section of concrete casing beneath Hudson Yards in New York City.

The clock is ticking on the original rail tunnels, after saltwater driven by Superstorm Sandy corroded the century-old passage. If one track has to close for repairs, it could cost the regional economy $100 million a day and slash train capacity by 75%.