August brought significant momentum to the East River Tunnel Rehab project with the start of major bench wall demolition. Originally built in the early 1900s, these 6-foot-tall structures line both sides of the tunnel, providing critical emergency egress for passengers in the event of a major emergency.

In 2012, Superstorm Sandy inundated two tunnel tubes with saltwater, nearly submerging the bench walls. Saltwater and concrete don’t mix well, and as a result, corrosion accelerated in the years following the storm, compromising the integrity of these century-old structures.

Removing these concrete giants is no small feat. Each shift involves carefully breaking down and hauling out material, all within the tight confines of the tunnel. The project team continues to refine its demolition techniques, boosting efficiency and safety with every step. These lessons will carry forward as work begins in the Line 1 tunnel tube next year.

Last week, we welcomed the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) into the tunnel for a joint emergency preparedness review. FDNY personnel joined Amtrak’s ERT rehab project team, emergency management, fire/life safety officials, and Amtrak Police Department to assess site conditions, access points, evacuation routes, and potential hazards.

We’ll continue working closely with FDNY, NYPD, and other agencies to ensure the safety of our employees, contractors, and customers.