Amtrak’s $1.6-billion East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project in New York is advancing after construction manager STV/Naik Consulting Group PC Joint Venture says it received a notice to proceed Nov. 18.
The project is focused on restoring two of the 2.5-mile tunnel’s four tubes, which originally opened in 1910 and were damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The tunnel carries Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit trains between New York Penn Station in Manhattan and Sunnyside Yard in Queens, which is used for storing, cleaning and turning around trains.
In addition to the JV of STV and Naik serving as construction manager, Amtrak selected a joint venture of Skanska and E-J Electric Installation Co. in July as general contractor for the work.
The scope of the project includes demolishing the existing systems down to the tunnel liner, which will be repaired. The team will then modernize cable conduits, fire systems, track and various signals and other systems. Some work will also be performed at Penn Station and Sunnyside Yard.
The work is needed to improve the tunnel’s reliability, safety and ride quality for passengers, and to make it less susceptible to weather-related damage, according to Amtrak. The project “will shape the future of transportation along the Northeast Corridor for the next century,” said Richard Amodei, president of transportation northeast at STV, in a statement.
“By modernizing the rail system and prioritizing service enhancements, robust safety measures and long-term resilience, we are improving mobility and accessibility while driving economic growth and fostering a more connected region for decades to come,” Amodei said.
The project is largely funded by 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act via a $1.3-billion grant from the Federal Railroad Administration.
The work is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Map courtesy AmtrakAmtrak is also planning additional upgrades at the Sunnyside Yard as part of efforts to upgrade its maintenance facilities. The transit agency has said it plans to award a contract for the work this year.
