New York Construction Report staff writer
Amtrak has reopened Line 2 of the East River Tunnel in New York following a major rehabilitation project carried out by the Skanska E-J ERT Joint Venture, a partnership between Skanska USA Civil and E-J Electric Installation Co.
The reopening completes the first major phase of Amtrak’s East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project, which is modernizing 116-year-old infrastructure used by Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and NJ TRANSIT passengers.
Over the past year, crews reconstructed the tunnel’s interior systems, including track, power, communications, drainage and structural components.
The work involved demolishing, removing and replacing deteriorated infrastructure, as well as constructing new bench walls designed to improve safety, maintenance access and operational performance.
More than 24,000 feet of rail, 8,000 tons of ballast, 8,000 wooden rail ties and 20,000 cubic yards of bench wall concrete were removed and replaced during the rehabilitation.
The East River Tunnel is a critical link on the Northeast Corridor, serving thousands of daily passengers on Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and NJ TRANSIT services.
Amtrak said the project required coordination with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Federal Railroad Administration and other rail partners while maintaining service through one of the busiest rail corridors in the United States.
With Line 2 back in service, Amtrak is preparing to begin rehabilitation work on the second and final tunnel tube as part of the broader modernization project.
