The proposed rail link to connect Lower Manhattan and JFK

Last week, President George Bush proposed converting $2 billion in unused 9/11 tax credits to help build the long-proposed rail link between Lower Manhattan and JFK Airport.

Even amid criticism by some transit advocates about its cost, the $7 billion rail link has maintained strong support from politicians and the downtown business community, which has lobbied hard for the express train service that would also connect Long Island and Queens to the tip of Manhattan. Senator Charles Schumer released a statement last week citing the need for downtown businesses to draw from "the labor pool in Long Island."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg applauded Bush's proposal, saying it would "spur job growth" and "ease crowding on subways."

A feasibility study is being conducted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, but no design or environmental studies are yet underway for the project, which would likely require digging a new tunnel under the East River.