Project will fully modernize 114-year-old tunnel tubes damaged by Superstorm Sandy

NEW YORK – Amtrak will begin major rehabilitation of the East River Tunnel in New York City later this year following the award of a construction contract to a Skanska E-J ERT Joint Venture. The tunnel is comprised of four tubes – two of which require significant repairs and comprehensive reconstruction following damage caused by floodwaters that entered the tunnel during Superstorm Sandy.

The East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project will demolish all existing tunnel systems down to the liner, before completely restoring both tubes that were damaged in 2012. During this project, one tube will be closed at a time, minimizing service impacts while maximizing track access for construction, and renewing the tunnel infrastructure to serve customers for another 100 years.

Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner:

“Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to renewing the East River Tunnel for a new generation. We thank Senator Schumer and the Biden-Harris Administration for their support that has made the renewal of this critical asset possible, and we appreciate the collaboration with our partners at MTA and NJ TRANSIT on this consequential project. Together, we’re committed to delivering this important infrastructure investment for New Yorkers, New Jerseyans, and everyone else who relies on the NEC – America’s busiest rail corridor.”

FRA Administrator Amit Bose:

“Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, projects of national significance continue to move forward along America’s busiest rail corridor, and today’s progress on the East River Tunnel is just the latest example. The Biden-Harris Administration is investing billions of dollars in the Northeast Corridor to replace and rehabilitate aging infrastructure that will allow for higher speeds, shorter travel time, and greater reliability for a growing number of riders. These improvements will be felt in New York, New Jersey, and beyond while creating jobs and growing the economy. We appreciate the partnerships and planning that are helping to make progress on the East River Tunnel possible, and we look forward to our work together.”

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer:

“We have worked long and hard for this moment: celebrating the start of construction and repair of the Sandy-damaged East River Tunnel. These tunnels are the most important link in the commute of hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders and a problem in this vital transit link creates a nightmarish domino effect for the entire system — but now commuters can rejoice because construction is about to begin. This effort to repair the East River Tunnel hasn’t been easy, but this ten-year challenge will see $1.26 billion dollars’ worth of federal investment that will supercharge some of the most critical work to finish the job, improve safety, and deliver for commuters and visitors alike.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand:

“For over 110 years, the East River Tunnel has been critical for those traveling in and out of New York City. Today, Amtrak is taking an important step to rehabilitate the damaged tubes of the East River Tunnel and improve Amtrak service along the Northeast Corridor for millions of passengers. I have long supported this effort in New York, and I am thrilled to see this project come to life to improve service for passengers. I fought to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is funding a majority of this project, and I will continue to support Amtrak in its efforts to upgrade the Northeast Corridor.”

U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02):

“The tubes making up The East River Tunnel are well over 100 years old and have deteriorated greatly over the last decade following storm damage during Superstorm Sandy. This kind of deterioration of our public infrastructure is exactly why I voted to deliver federal funds for desperately needed infrastructure improvements. I am pleased to see this project moving forward to increase the public safety, reliability, and security of this railway tunnel that New Yorkers rely on.”

U.S. Representative Jerrold (Jerry) Nadler (D-NY-12)

“With the award of a construction contract for the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project, we are one step closer to restoring these essential tubes that are a lifeline for Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road travelers. I’m proud to have voted for this funding in Congress as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which continues to deliver transformative updates to New York’s aging infrastructure.”

U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07)

“For far too long, our city’s railway tunnel systems have been in need of an upgrade, and with compounding natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy, the condition of these tunnels has continued to deteriorate. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this new grant funding will help renew the East River Tunnel and ensure its safety, reliability, and resiliency.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul:

“The rehabilitation of this century-old tunnel damaged during Hurricane Sandy, will provide the thousands of New Yorkers who use it every day a safer and smoother ride in and out of Penn Station. With the support of the Biden-Harris Administration and our congressional delegation we are working together to finally move this critical project forward.”

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy:

“This is a monumental step in the broader revitalization of the busiest transit corridor in the nation. I want to thank the Biden Administration, especially, for their substantial funding support, and all of our partners in this endeavor. Together, these transformative investments will ensure that the northeast corridor can support the economy and people who depend on it well into the next generation.”

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber

“The LIRR is by far the biggest user of the East River Tunnels and this project is key to the sequence of projects – including LIRR Third Track and Metro-North Penn Station Access – that not only fixes damage from Superstorm Sandy, but also increases regional railroad capacity and connects new neighborhoods to the rail system. We are pleased that Amtrak is now ready to award the contract and commence work.”

NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett:

“As any commuter knows who’s suffered delays due to issues with the tunnels, NJ TRANSIT’s investment in the East River Tunnel rehabilitation is an important one for continued reliability along the Northeast Corridor. NJ TRANSIT is pleased to be a project partner with Amtrak as this critical project advances into construction.”

About the tunnel: The East River Tunnel opened in 1910 and consists of four tubes connecting New York Penn Station (NYP) – America’s busiest train station – with Queens and beyond. It connects intercity trains leaving Manhattan on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) north to Boston, and commuter services east to Long Island or into Sunnyside Yard, where trains are stored, cleaned and turned around to reverse directions before traveling back to New York Penn Station and eventually into New Jersey.

• The tunnel is used by more than 450 daily Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and NJ TRANSIT trains. In the future, it will also serve Metro-North trains upon completion of MTA’s Penn Station Access Project.

About the project: This work will involve demolishing the existing tunnel systems down to the concrete liner, followed by reconstructing and modernizing all tunnel systems, which include:

• Spot repair and patching of the concrete tunnel liner
• Reconstruction of the bench walls in a modern high-low configuration
• Conversion from ballasted track to a modern direct fixation track system with integrated drainage
• Installation of new, state-of-the-art fire and smoke detection systems
• Replacement and modernization of signal, traction power, standpipe and drainage systems

Supporting work: Additional work will be performed aboveground to upgrade tunnel approaches and install new signal equipment and power cables in Queens, as well as improvements to existing ventilation facilities in Manhattan and Queens.

• The project will be governed by a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) established as part of a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding between Amtrak and North America’s Building Trades Unions covering Amtrak’s major civil engineering projects.

Service plan: During the work, which is expected to last approximately three years, Amtrak plans to maintain the vast majority of service, with slight schedule changes for Northeast Regional and Acela trains, as well as modifications to some Long Distance and State Supported services. The project will also not result in a major disruption to LIRR or NJ TRANSIT service. Amtrak and the railroad partners are coordinating closely to mitigate service impacts and will provide detailed service information via numerous channels in the coming months.

Supporting contracts: This important contract award follows a competitive procurement process that Amtrak began with the support of its partners – LIRR and NJ TRANSIT – in Spring 2023.

• Amtrak has also awarded a construction management (CM) contract to a STV Inc./Naik Consulting Group, PC Joint Venture. The CM will assist Amtrak with management of the construction contractor, document control, schedule and budget oversight, and community outreach support. This team will be fully integrated with Amtrak’s in-house Capital Delivery department and the construction contractor.
• The project has had ongoing support from Jacobs Engineering Group with design development for the required rehabilitation and system improvements.

How it’s paid for: The approximately $1.6B project is primarily funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), thanks to a $1.26B federal grant awarded by FRA in November 2023. The remaining portion will be funded by the project partners – MTA, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak.

What’s next: Preparatory work is already underway in Sunnyside Yard, with major construction expected to begin in late 2024 and continue through 2027.

The big picture: The East River Tunnel is a critical link on the NEC and repairing the damage from Superstorm Sandy is essential to ensuring a resilient and robust passenger rail network for the next 100 years. This is one of several major infrastructure projects underway at Amtrak as the company delivers its largest ever capital program, with billions of infrastructure investments planned for this year.

• These investments include multiple pieces of the Gateway Program, including the Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project and Dock Bridge Rehabilitation Project, as well as supporting the Portal North Bridge Project led by NJ TRANSIT and the Hudson Tunnel Project led by the Gateway Development Commission.
• Amtrak is also planning major upgrades at Sunnyside Yard that will enable more efficient maintenance practices and prepare for new trains scheduled to enter service in the coming years. That contract award is expected later in 2024.

source: https://media.amtrak.com/2024/07/amtrak-awards-contract-for-east-river-tunnel-rehabilitation/