Construction
Preparatory work is already underway in Sunnyside Yard, with major construction expected to begin in late 2024 and continue through 2027.
Construction contract awarded to Skanska E-J ERT Joint Venture
Mobilization, early construction activities
Amtrak, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New Jersey Transit, U.S. DOT Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Amtrak, U.S. DOT FRA Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New Jersey Transit
The tubes, which opened in 1910, require significant upgrades and comprehensive rehabilitation to modernize critical NEC infrastructure and improve reliability for a new era of rail. The ERT Rehabilitation Project will restore the two tubes that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
The work will modernize the tunnel infrastructure, improving safety, reliability, and security and bring the systems to a state of good repair. The project will involve demolishing the existing tunnel systems down to concrete liners, followed by reconstructing and modernizing all tunnel systems.
The ERT Rehabilitation Project is partially funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA). This includes funding received through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program. The FRA has identified the ERT Rehabilitation Project as a “Major Backlog Project” on the NEC, which makes it eligible for additional federal funding to support final design and construction through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program.
Additional funding from the State of New York was announced in December 2021 by Senator Chuck Schumer, who facilitated an agreement in which MTA committed up to $432 million for the ERT Rehabilitation Project.
The ERT Rehabilitation Project will restore the two tubes that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The work will modernize the tunnel infrastructure, improving safety, reliability, and security and bring the systems to a state of good repair.
The project will involve demolishing the existing tunnel systems down to concrete liners, followed by reconstructing and modernizing all tunnel systems. These include:
Work will also be performed at aboveground areas in Queens. This includes upgrading the tunnel approaches and installing new signal houses and signal and traction power cables. Additional work will be performed at two ventilation facilities in Manhattan and Queens.
During construction, Amtrak plans to maintain the majority of train service through the remaining tunnels by closing one tube at a time. Additional projects completed ahead of the major tunnel work will help mitigate potential service impacts.
Beginning November 10th, a few service changes and a new temporary Amtrak service will be implemented. This includes combining the Capitol Limited and Silver Star trains to create the Floridian (operating between Chicago and Miami via Washington, DC), reducing Empire Service by two round trips while preserving eight daily round trips, combining the Adirondack and Maple Leaf into one train between New York City and Albany, and slightly adjusting some departure and arrival times.
Amtrak and its railroad partners will provide advance notice to customers regarding any service changes as construction approaches.
For additional information about the East River Tunnels Rehabilitation Project, email us at [email protected] to connect with a member of the project team
