NEW YORK — Amtrak will spend about $150 million to repair its existing tunnels between New Jersey and New York’s Penn Station as it awaits construction of two new tunnels on the Northeast Corridor route.
Bloomberg reports the plans for the North River Tunnel, built in 1910, are outlined in a report week outlining work over the next two years. Repairs will be performed nights and weekends to address damage stemming from the 2012 flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy, including deteriorating concrete and corroding cables.
“Leak mitigation will enhance overall safety within the tunnels,” the report says, according to Bloomberg. “Track workers and the traveling public will be less exposed to safety hazards caused by falling concrete, formation of icicles, and slippery walkway surfaces.” The problems are worse in the north tube of the twin tunnels.
Amtrak is hoping to finally advance the Gateway tunnel project, connecting New Jersey and New York, with funding from the recently passed infrastructure bill. Once those two bores are complete, the existing tunnels would undergo major renovation, eventually giving the Northeast Corridor significantly increased capacity.
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