Amtrak to close one East River tube on Friday for 2.5 years of repairs.

Amtrak, the federal railway service, will commence a significant overhaul of the East River Tunnel by shutting down one of its four tubes, starting Friday night. The closure marks the beginning of a comprehensive two-and-a-half-year repair initiative that has drawn criticism from local officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul and representatives from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

The initial closure will last for ten days and represents the first phase of a project estimated to reduce the tunnel’s train capacity by 25%. This crucial infrastructure, linking Manhattan and Queens, accommodates daily services from Amtrak, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and New Jersey Transit.

Governor Hochul acknowledged the necessity of the repairs, asserting that while she believes the work could have been completed without a complete shutdown, she understands the project’s urgency. In a recent meeting with Amtrak and MTA leadership, she emphasized the importance of operational adjustments to mitigate disruptions for commuters during the work.

The East River Tunnel, which Amtrak has operated since its opening in 1910, consists of four tubes, two of which primarily serve the LIRR, enabling trains to reach Penn Station. The remaining two tubes are essential for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor service and provide storage for NJ Transit trains in Sunnyside Yard, Queens.

The tunnel’s condition has significantly deteriorated over recent years, particularly after being flooded with saltwater during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Officials have reported ongoing issues such as corrosion and structural damage, including spalling concrete along the benchwalls containing high-voltage power lines. Such deterioration has adversely affected the tunnel’s signaling and traction systems, necessitating urgent repairs.

Amtrak has indicated that a comprehensive shutdown of each tube is essential for thorough repairs, including rebuilding benchwalls and replacing aging wiring. Following the ten-day work period on Tube No. 1, Tube No. 2 will be closed for a total of 13 months for more extensive refurbishments. After completing work on Tube No. 2, a similar overhaul will take place on Tube No. 1.

During this extensive two-and-a-half-year project, Amtrak aims to ensure that current service levels for the LIRR and Amtrak remain largely unchanged. However, concerns persist among MTA leadership regarding the challenges posed by reduced tunnel capacity, especially given the frequency of signal failures and the potential for service delays.

MTA President Rob Free has advocated for a more selective approach to repairs, urging Amtrak to prioritize only those repairs deemed absolutely necessary to maintain structural integrity. Previous experiences indicate that similar interventions in other transit systems have proven effective without requiring extensive structural overhauls.

As Amtrak prepares for this vital work, officials highlight the importance of maintaining reliable transportation options for commuters and travelers in both New York and beyond. The successful execution of this project is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted service as Amtrak and its partners move forward with this ambitious rehabilitation endeavor.

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