Work starts on rail tunnel between New York, New Jersey

Construction began Monday on the $8.7 billion tunnel that's expected to double the number of rail commuter capacity between New Jersey and Manhattan during peak rush periods. This is the nation's largest transportation project. The 8.8 mile-long fourth rail tunnel under the Hudson River will require the removal of 2 million cubic yards of rock and soil and will take eight years to build. Officials estimate the project will create 6,000 construction jobs and add another 45,000 new jobs after completion in 2017. The tunnel is the centerpiece of a project to expand the Penn Station transit hub in New York and fund track and signal improvements. The tunnel will benefit both NJ Transit and Amtrak customers and is a major piece of the Obama federal stimulus plan.