Amtrak officially reopened East River Tunnel (ERT) Line 2 in New York this week. This comes in after the completion of the first major phase of the ERT Rehabilitation Project. This project joins other tunnel developments being undertaken in New York. These include the Manhattan Tunnel.
Over the past year, crews completely reconstructed the 116-year-old tunnel’s interior systems. This included the repair of the tunnel liner; conversion from ballasted track to a modern, direct fixation track system; and the replacement of power, drainage and communications systems.
Additionally, the work involved the demolition, removal, and replacement of significantly deteriorated infrastructure and the construction of new bench walls designed to improve safety, maintenance access, and operational performance.
In total, more than 7.315km of rail, 8,000 tons of ballast, 8,000 wooden rail ties, and 18,290m3 of bench wall concrete were removed and replaced.
Also, Amtrak interim president Byl Herrmann stated that the reopening showcased Amtrak’s progress in rebuilding critical infrastructure while maintaining service on the Northeast Corridor.
“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 co-ordination 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,” he mentioned.
Skanska / EJ Electric Joint Venture is delivering the project. They will kick off the major rehabilitation of Line 1 in the autumn.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2027.
East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project Phase 1: Factsheet
Project Name: East River Tunnel (ERT) Rehabilitation Project
Key Milestone: Official reopening of ERT Line 2 following completion of Phase 1
Tunnel Age: 116 years old
Next Phase: Major rehabilitation of Line 1 scheduled to begin Autumn 2026
Target Completion: Late 2027
Primary Delivery Partner: Skanska / EJ Electric Joint Venture
Key Stakeholders and Support: Amtrak, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Scope and System Upgrades
- Conversion from traditional ballasted track to a modern direct fixation track system
- Full tunnel liner repairs
- Total replacement of power, drainage, and communications systems
- Demolition and reconstruction of new concrete bench walls for improved safety and maintenance access
Material and Removal Metrics
- Rail: Over 7.315 km removed and replaced
- Bench Wall Concrete: 18,290 m³ removed and replaced
- Ballast: 8,000 tons removed
- Rail Ties: 8,000 wooden ties replaced
Project Team
Primary Project Owner and Operators
Amtrak: Project owner, manager, and primary rail operator.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA / LIRR): Co-funder and key operating transit partner (Long Island Rail Road).
NJ TRANSIT: Co-funder and operating transit partner.
Prime Construction Delivery
Skanska / E-J Electric Joint Venture: Main design-build construction contractor (Skanska USA leading civil/structural work; E-J Electric Installation Co. handling electrical, traction power, and signals).
Design and Engineering
- Jacobs Engineering Group: Lead design firm responsible for overall design development and system improvements.
Construction Management
STV Inc. / Naik Consulting Group Joint Venture: Construction management consultant overseeing construction, schedules, document control, and community outreach.
Key Subcontractors and Suppliers
Amaracon Testing and Inspections: Special inspections and materials testing.
Con Forms / Our Rental Pumps: Concrete pumping equipment and high-pressure concrete delivery systems.
Leave a Reply