The federal government is putting $185 million toward preserving a vital space for any future project to build new train tunnels connecting New Jersey and New York City.

The money comes from the Department of Transportation’s allotment of Superstorm Sandy relief funding.

It’s going toward a concrete casement that preserves access into Penn Station. It’s beneath the Hudson Yards project that’s currently being built on Manhattan’s west side.

Officials said Thursday that they wanted to put in the casement before anything else is built above that space.

The announcement was made by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood; and senators Charles Schumer of New York and Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.

(AP)