Laid-off Hudson tunnel workers rally to demand funding; one dead, one missing after Queens fire

Tunnel workers protest lack of funding as Trump administration appeals court order; deadly fire in Elmhurst leaves one dead, one missing

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Laid-off workers from the Gateway Tunnel project rallied in North Bergen, New Jersey on Monday after a federal judge ordered $16 billion in funding restored, but the money has yet to be released. Meanwhile, a four-alarm fire tore through a home in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens, killing one person and leaving another missing.

Why it matters

The Gateway Tunnel project is a critical infrastructure upgrade for the Northeast corridor, and delays could threaten thousands of jobs tied to the 116-year-old Hudson River tunnel used by 200,000 daily commuters. The deadly Queens fire highlights the ongoing risks of fire safety in the city's aging housing stock.

The details

At the North Bergen rally, union leaders joined Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Mikie Sherrill in warning that delays in the Gateway Tunnel project could cost thousands of jobs. The Trump administration has appealed the court order to restore $16 billion in funding, which was denied. In Queens, the four-alarm fire broke out around 6:45 p.m. on Monday and quickly spread to neighboring houses. Four people jumped from windows and two were rescued from the second floor, with eight civilians and one firefighter injured, one seriously.

  • The rally took place on Monday.
  • The federal judge ordered $16 billion in funding restored.
  • The Trump administration appealed and sought a stay, which was denied.
  • The four-alarm fire in Elmhurst broke out around 6:45 p.m. on Monday.

The players

Gateway Tunnel workers

Laid-off workers from the Gateway Tunnel project, a critical infrastructure upgrade for the Northeast corridor.

Sen. Chuck Schumer

U.S. Senator from New York who joined the rally.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill

U.S. Representative from New Jersey's 11th congressional district who joined the rally.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let delays threaten thousands of jobs tied to the 116-year-old Hudson tunnel used by 200,000 daily commuters.”

— Union leader

What’s next

The judge in the Gateway Tunnel funding case will decide on whether to allow the Trump administration's appeal.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing challenges in securing critical infrastructure funding, as well as the tragic consequences of fire safety issues in aging housing stock. The rallying cries from laid-off workers and elected officials underscore the high stakes involved in these issues for communities across the region.