The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) Board of Commissioners has awarded the contract for the Manhattan Tunnel Project to Frontier-Kemper-Tutor-Perini JV, marking a major step forward in the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP). The board has also authorised the notice to proceed with construction and approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) linked to the existing Project Labour Agreement with the involved unions.
Construction on this segment of the HTP is set to begin in the coming months, with substantial completion expected by 2029. A preliminary estimate by EY suggests the project will generate approximately 15,800 new jobs.
The Manhattan Tunnel Project will construct a section of the new Hudson Tunnel from the Manhattan Bulkhead in the Hudson River to the cut-and-cover Hudson Yards Concrete Casing east of 12th Avenue. The project will also remove potential obstructions that could hinder the tunnel boring machines and will support critical infrastructure, including sewer lines and the Bulkhead itself.
A key milestone for the Gateway Programme
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer welcomed the development, stating, “Today’s contract award for the Manhattan Tunnel Project represents another major milestone for the Gateway Programme. As I’ve said before—we are all systems go! The Hudson Tunnel Project is vital to the economic health and resilience of New York.”
In a joint statement, GDC officials Alicia Glen, Balpreet Grewal-Virk, and Tony Coscia emphasised the significance of the contract: “This is an important step forward for the HTP that keeps us on track to deliver the most urgent infrastructure project in the country. More importantly, it’s a major win for workers, creating thousands of good jobs and driving millions in economic activity.”
GDC CEO Tom Prendergast, overseeing his first major contract award in the role, highlighted the technical complexity of the project: “Building underground in Manhattan requires careful planning and expert execution. I look forward to working with the Frontier-Kemper-Tutor-Perini team to deliver this critical piece of infrastructure.”
Complex Engineering and Excavation
The Manhattan Tunnel Project will involve designing and constructing approximately 700 feet of twin 30-foot diameter tunnels. The section east of 12th Avenue will serve as a permanent tunnel, while the stretch between the Manhattan Bulkhead and 12th Avenue will be a temporary structure to facilitate future boring operations.
A new access shaft at 12th Avenue will eventually be converted into a permanent ventilation facility for the tunnel. The project will also navigate existing infrastructure, including major sewer lines, live utilities, and remnants of historical structures along Manhattan’s western shore. To manage these complexities, the contractor will use a protective digging shield, enabling most of the work to be conducted underground and minimising disruptions to surface roads and sidewalks.
USD 1.18 billion for the Manhattan Tunnel
The contract, valued at USD 1.18 billion, was awarded following a publicly advertised bidding process. A panel comprising experts from GDC, the State of New York, NJ TRANSIT, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), and Amtrak reviewed proposals before selecting Frontier-Kemper-Tutor-Perini JV based on technical and financial criteria.
Additionally, the GDC Board has approved a stipend programme to support the New Jersey Surface Alignment (NJSA) Project procurement process. This initiative will compensate bidding teams that do not secure the contract while allowing GDC to retain the intellectual property and innovative solutions presented in their proposals.
Share on:
