Amtrak has reopened Line 2 of the East River Tunnel in New York, completing the first phase of a 1.6 billion USD rehabilitation project.
This work aims to improve the safety and reliability of one of the busiest rail tunnels serving the Northeast Corridor.
The reopening restores train service through the tunnel following a year of construction. The work involved the reconstruction of track, power, communications, drainage and structural systems within the 116-year-old tunnel.
East River Tunnel opened in 1910 and consists of four tubes carrying Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and NJ TRANSIT services. Around 450 Amtrak and commuter trains use the tunnels each day.
Two of the four tubes required extensive rehabilitation after being damaged by floodwater during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Saltwater entered the tunnels and caused deterioration to infrastructure and electrical systems.
Line 2 Reconstruction
During the first phase, construction teams removed and replaced more than 24,000 feet of rail, 8,000 tons of ballast and 8,000 wooden rail ties.
The project also included the removal and replacement of around 20,000 cubic yards of bench wall concrete. New bench walls have been installed to provide improved access for maintenance activities and support the tunnel’s infrastructure.
Other work included the replacement and renewal of power, communications and drainage systems, as well as structural improvements.
Amtrak also carried out infrastructure hardening measures during the project, intended to reduce the risk of failures affecting rail operations.
By keeping three of the four East River Tunnel tubes available during construction, Amtrak, LIRR and NJ TRANSIT services were able to continue operating while Line 2 was closed.
Amtrak used additional measures to manage the impact of the closure, including continuous engineering coverage, more frequent inspections where track access allowed and strategically positioned rescue equipment.
Second Phase
The second phase will involve the rehabilitation of Line 1 and is scheduled to begin this autumn. It will follow a similar scope of reconstruction work to Line 2, with additional hardening measures planned before construction starts.
The overall East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project has a budget of 1.6 billion USD and remains scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
The project is funded primarily through a federal grant administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), alongside contributions from Amtrak, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and NJ TRANSIT.
Amtrak Interim President Byl Herrmann said:This milestone reflects the progress Amtrak is making to rebuild critical infrastructure while maintaining service for the millions of customers who rely on the Northeast Corridor every year. Reopening Line 2 of the East River Tunnel restores a vital transportation link and positions it to serve rail passengers for another 100 years. We appreciate the strong support of the Federal Railroad Administration and close coordination with our partners throughout the project, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration as we begin rehabilitation of the second and final tunnel tube.
The project is being delivered alongside other major rail investments in the New York and New Jersey region. Earlier this year, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak opened the first track across the new Portal North Bridge in Kearny, New Jersey.
Other projects under way include the Hudson Tunnel Project, Penn Station Access and the New York Penn Station Transformation Project.
The reopening of Line 2 was marked by an event at New York Penn Station followed by a ceremonial train journey through the rebuilt tunnel. Federal, state and regional transport officials, including FRA Administrator David Fink, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, LIRR President Rob Free and NJ TRANSIT representatives, attended the event.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said:Achieving this milestone required close collaboration between the MTA and Amtrak, and we’ll continue to be active partners on all shared infrastructure projects to guarantee the best results for riders. Representing the interest of MTA customers is always our number one priority.
With Line 2 back in service, attention will now turn to the rehabilitation of Line 1 and the remaining work required to complete the East River Tunnel project by the end of 2027.
