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We are pleased to report that the project remains on schedule for train service to resume in the fully rehabilitated Line 2 tunnel in July 2026. This progress to date would not have been possible without the hard work of our employees, contractors, and partners. Challenging work lies ahead, but we will continue working hard as a team to deliver this project on schedule, safely, and within budget.
With summer officially ending next week, and the first quarter of our ERT Line 2 long-term outage now complete, below is an overview of the past three months’ work progress. Whether you’ve been following along all summer, or this is your first newsletter, we hope you find this update valuable.
After the long-term outage began in late May, tunnel decommissioning was completed slightly ahead of schedule, enabling contractors to move quickly into demolition and utility installation. Crews removed track and ballast, and installed temporary systems, before advancing bench wall demolition across portions of the tunnel sections. Five 55-hour weekend outages also delivered critical progress at Penn Station, the Line 1 Portal (tunnel entrance), and the Line 2 Tunnel. This work included new rail signal infrastructure – enclosures, transformers, conduits, and cables
Bench wall demolition is now fully underway, approximately 1/3 done, with full completion of this logistically challenging work expected later this fall. Looking ahead, the team will finish demolition throughout the three-mile tunnel, begin State of Good Repair work to repair cracks, and apply epoxy coatings at both portals, as well as launch installation of a new fire standpipe and snake tray systems that will support future electrical, communication, and security utilities.
This quarter’s accomplishments mark a strong start toward transforming Line 2 into a fully modernized and resilient tunnel that will serve Amtrak, LIRR, and eventually Metro-North customers for the next 100 years.
During last Tuesday’s morning rush hour, MTA and Amtrak trains experienced delays due to debris reported in East River Tunnel Line 4. For safety, we temporarily paused service through the tunnel while crews investigated and removed the obstruction.
A joint investigation between Amtrak and MTA found that the piece of debris came from an LIRR train that was later found to be missing part of its hatch. This information was confirmed by MTA operations.
While rare, incidents like this can occur. That’s why, as outlined in our initial project update, Amtrak proactively prepared the tunnels that remain open during the long-term outage and have taken actions to mitigate service interruptions. These preparations include targeted infrastructure upgrades designed to reduce failure risks, 24/7 engineering coverage throughout the outage, more frequent inspections as track access allows, and more.
We remain confident that these mitigation measures are effective. Amtrak will continue to monitor service closely throughout the construction period and work collaboratively with MTA to respond swiftly to any unexpected disruptions – just as we did last week.
Thanks for your continued patience and understanding as we advance this critical project.