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New Jersey shouldn’t entirely scrap the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) tunnel project, but rather “right-size” the project and continue efforts to increase rail capacity between New Jersey and Manhattan, National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) officials believe.

They are “appalled” at public statements saying the new tunnels are not necessary, according to a prepared statement. Late last month, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie terminated the tunnel project due to cost overruns.

“[The tunnels] are desperately needed, both for redundancy — which assures reliable service — and to handle future growth,” said NARP Vice Chairman Albert Papp Jr. “Today, there is no more room for growth, and there are major delays whenever a problem closes one of the tunnels.”

NARP is advocating for “Moynihan/Penn Station First,” a variation of the ARC project that calls for building the new tunnels into New York’s Penn Station and eliminating the planned 34th Street terminal.

Association officials also are calling on NJ Transit to complete a planned bridge over the Hackensack River on the Northeast Corridor between New York and Newark, N.J. The structure could replace a century-old swing bridge so trains could travel at 60 mph. The project is part of the Portal Bridge capacity enhancement project.

“We are concerned that New Jersey Transit has not executed the agreement needed to begin final design on the Portal north, even though $38.5 million in federal recovery act funds for this work was awarded Jan. 28,” said Papp.

NARP officials also continue to encourage Amtrak and NJ Transit to keep working together to identify ways to address capacity and reliability issues that would benefit riders on both systems. The association has endorsed a track link between Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal.