Key federal approval for Gateway Tunnel - delayed for 3 years - is coming soon Updated May 12, 2021; After waiting three years for it, a coveted federal approval that would allow engineering to start on the long awaited Gateway Tunnels under the Hudson River is expected to be issued in two weeks. The “Record of Decision” approval of the Environmental Impact Statement and planned route for the two new rail tunnels between New Jersey and New York is expected from the U.S. Department of Transportation on May 28, said Balpreet Grewal-Virk, Gateway Development Commission Co-Chairwoman. “We’re moving in the right direction. I’m referring to the USDOT approving the EIS so we complete the environmental process,” she said. “The ROD will potentially allow us to move forward on multiple things, including property acquisition and other early project work.”