The region may be experiencing a World Cup hangover, but questions about, “Was it worth it?” are still being asked. That and more in this issue of Infrastructure Update.
NY–NJ World Cup costs under scrutiny
New York and New Jersey are beginning to tally the real costs of hosting the 2026 World Cup, and early numbers suggest the region spent over $500 million on security, transit operations, crowd management, and event logistics. A host‑committee study projects $3.3 billion in economic impact and $432 million in tax revenue, but officials are openly questioning whether those benefits will materialize. NYC Councilmember Virginia Maloney told Politico that hotel occupancy data is mixed and that boosters often “inflate” economic projections for mega‑events. New Jersey officials are conducting their own post‑event audit, especially around overtime costs and transit strain. The broader debate now centers on whether the World Cup delivered lasting value or simply a short‑term tourism spike.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/07/19/world-cup-2026/new-york-new-jersey-costs-hosting-world-cup-01004624
Amtrak finds a way to boost Penn Station capacity without demolition
A new Amtrak study offers a surprising conclusion: Penn Station can run more trains at rush hour—up to 32 per hour instead of 24—without demolishing a block south of 31st Street. The plan relies on longer platforms, additional stairs and escalators, improved passenger flow, and limited “through‑running” between NJ Transit and the LIRR. The study also endorses a future “super‑wide platform” to reduce crowding and speed boarding. Importantly, this is the first time Amtrak has formally backed through‑running, a concept long championed by transit advocates. A more detailed engineering study is expected in 2028, but the preliminary findings suggest the region may be able to expand rail capacity faster—and cheaper—than previously assumed.
New Jersey’s raw sewage problem: 23 billion gallons a year
A new investigation highlights one of New Jersey’s most persistent infrastructure failures: combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that spill contaminated stormwater and raw sewage into streets and waterways during heavy rain. The state has 217 CSO outfalls across 21 municipalities, including Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, Camden, and Paterson. These century‑old systems dump an estimated 23 billion gallons of polluted water annually, carrying pathogens like E. coli and norovirus into neighborhoods and rivers such as the Lower Passaic and Newark Bay. Long‑term control plans are finally in place, but the fixes—sewer separation, storage tunnels, treatment upgrades, and green infrastructure—will cost billions and take years. Climate‑driven storms are making the problem more urgent, and communities are demanding faster timelines.
Read more: https://tristateinfrastructurenews.com/raw-sewage-in-the-streets-new-jerseys-dirty-little-secret/
Nutley data center fight intensifies at ON3 campus
Developer Gene Diaz of Prism is pushing back against what he calls a “misinformation campaign” surrounding a proposed 250,000‑square‑foot data center at the ON3 campus in Nutley and Clifton. Diaz argues residents are conflating all data centers with massive AI hyperscale facilities, stressing that this project is far smaller and would use under 1 million gallons of water per day, compared to 14 million gallons used by a former industrial tenant. He also notes that noise must remain below 55 decibels under DEP rules and that PSE&G can support the electrical load. Crucially, Nutley itself designated the site for data‑center use in a legal settlement after rejecting warehouses, multifamily housing, and senior housing—meaning the town has limited ability to block the project now.
Atlantic City Electric proposes 500 MW battery project in Salem County
Atlantic City Electric has filed plans with the NJBPU for a 500‑MW battery energy storage project in Salem County—enough to power roughly 400,000 homes during peak demand. The utility says the project would store low‑cost power and discharge during high‑price periods, reducing customer exposure to volatile wholesale markets. ACE claims no bill impact for the first five years, with federal tax credits and PJM market revenues covering nearly 70% of project costs. The system would be built with Invenergy and targeted for completion around 2030, pending regulatory approval. If approved, it would be one of the largest battery installations on the East Coast and a major step toward grid reliability as electrification accelerates.
Read more: https://njbmagazine.com/njb-news-now/ace-proposes-energy-storage-project-in-salem-county/
