Amtrak awarded Skanska E-J ERT joint venture the construction and rehabilitation contract for New York East River tunnel which is expected to be completed in three years.
Preparatory work is already underway in Sunnyside Yard, with major construction expected to begin in late 2024 and continue through 2027.
The USD 1.6 billion project is primarily funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), thanks to a USD 1.26 billion grant awarded by FRA in November 2023. The remaining portion will be funded by MTA, NJ Transit and Amtrak, which are the project partners.
The tunnel is comprised of four tubes, two of which require significant repairs and comprehensive reconstruction following damage caused by floodwaters that entered the tunnel during Superstorm Sandy.
The project involves spot repair and patching of the concrete tunnel liner, the reconstruction of the bench walls in a modern high-low configuration, the conversion from ballasted track to a modern direct fixation track system with integrated drainage, installation of new, state-of-the-art fire and smoke detection systems and replacement and modernisation of signalling, traction power, standpipe and drainage systems.
Additional work will be performed aboveground to upgrade tunnel approaches and install new signal equipment and power cables in Queens, as well as improvements to existing ventilation facilities in Manhattan and Queens.
The East River tunnel rehabilitation project will demolish all existing tunnel systems down to the liner, before completely restoring both tubes that were damaged in 2012. During this project, one tube will be closed at a time, minimising service impacts while maximising track access for construction, and renewing the tunnel infrastructure to serve customers for another 100 years.
This contract award follows a competitive procurement process that Amtrak began in April 2023. Amtrak has also awarded a construction management (CM) contract to a STV Inc./Naik Consulting Group, PC joint venture. The CM will assist Amtrak with management of the construction contractor, document control, schedule and budget oversight, and community outreach support. This team will be fully integrated with Amtrak’s in-house Capital Delivery department and the construction contractor. The project has had ongoing support from Jacobs Engineering Group with design development for the required rehabilitation and system improvements.
The contract is a “one step closer to renewing the East River tunnel for a new generation. We’re committed to delivering this important infrastructure investment for New Yorkers, New Jerseyans, and everyone else who relies on the NEC – America’s busiest rail corridor,” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said.
The New York East River tunnel is used by more than 450 daily Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and NJ Transit trains. In the future, it will also serve Metro-North trains upon completion of MTA’s Penn Station access project.
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