Deep beneath the East River, Amtrak’s train tunnels, which have been around for over a century, are gradually succumbing to saltwater dripping onto high-voltage cables, leading to severe corrosion issues.
Meanwhile, tension has escalated between the heads of Amtrak and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) regarding the cause of recent train delays linked to necessary repairs that began on May 23.
Liam McCut, Amtrak’s vice president of engineering services, emphasized that the current repair strategy is essential, focusing on minimal intervention to extend the life of the East River Tunnel for another century.
“Twelve years of extensive analysis have informed our solution,” McCut noted.
Amtrak engineers have claimed that the MTA is working discreetly to undermine Amtrak’s $1.6 billion service plan, which was approved in October 2023.
Long Island Railroad President Rob Free remarked at a press conference, “It’s Amtrak’s operation, and hence their responsibility.” He maintained that they felt compelled to act decisively.
On an overnight tour, Amtrak engineers guided reporters through one of the tunnels, underscoring that repairs cannot be effectively conducted at night or on weekends, as had been suggested.
According to McCut, workers only have three hours nightly to perform tasks in these aging tunnels.
This has led Amtrak to opt for a complete closure of one tunnel for the next 13 months. Following that, there will be a brief pause before work on the second tunnel begins, which is also expected to shut down for at least the same period.
If there are no unforeseen delays, the construction timeline should conclude by late 2027.
During the tour, engineers pointed out the significant damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, showing how saltwater is compromising the integrity of the tunnel infrastructure.
Assistant Vice President Harahan highlighted the dangers posed by saltwater seeping into cracked structures, which could damage electrical cables and potentially lead to explosions and fires.
Cooper, an Amtrak engineer, indicated that it might take several nights to carry out necessary cable repairs within the tunnel.
He noted the deteriorating state of the bench walls, which ideally should serve as emergency exits for repair crews and passengers. Given the current risks, temporary metal sheets have been installed to support the crumbling walls.
Cooper explained, “We routinely remove concrete that seems unstable to prevent it from falling onto trains.” Efforts are being made to implement updated drainage solutions to manage standing water effectively.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber advised Amtrak to align with MTA practices, recalling that L-Train repairs were successfully executed during off-peak hours following damage from Hurricane Sandy. However, McCut countered that the necessary repairs at the East River Tunnel are much more extensive than those done at the L-Train Tunnel.
While the MTA has voiced concerns about potential train delays stemming from Amtrak’s plan to close one tunnel track, McCut affirmed their commitment to proceed, citing the lack of an alternative plan.
The timeline for the tunnel repairs has already encountered delays, with the closure initially slated for May 9 being pushed back to May 23 due to ongoing MTA projects.
Hallahan, an Amtrak spokesperson, mentioned they are collaborating with the MTA to finalize preparations for the project, which is nearing completion.
“We’re prepared for this long-term halt,” Harahan concluded.
