East River Tunnel work begins Friday to repair Sandy damage - Newsday
Beginning Friday, Penn Station commuters will have to make do with one fewer tunnel across the East River for at least the next 2 ½ years, as Amtrak begins its long-delayed effort to repair damage caused by Superstorm Sandy 13 years ago.
Although Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA officials had warned Amtrak's approach to construction could lead to snarled commutes, the governor sought to reassure riders. In a statement, she said she met with Amtrak officials Thursday and understands "the importance of moving this project forward."
"That is why I have asked — and Amtrak has agreed — to incorporate the actual experience of the first tunnel shutdown, including the use of third party consultants, to ensure the best approach to the second shutdown," Hochul said.
Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams said, during the meeting with Hochul, the intercity passenger rail provider "reassured the Governor and MTA of our commitment to minimizing impacts to passengers throughout the project." Earlier this month, Amtrak said it would have standby crews and extra locomotives for "rescue coverage," among other measures, ready to avert problems.
Amtrak, which owns Penn Station and the adjoining tunnels, and Hochul confirmed Thursday that the tunnel closures would commence Friday. Following a brief closure of "Line 1," which is set to last about two weeks, Amtrak will take "Line 2" out of service for about 13 months to carry out extensive repairs and upgrades.
About three months after the work on Line 1 is complete, Amtrak plans to shut down Line 2 for similar fixes and improvements. Combined, the work will keep one of the four East River Tunnels linking to Penn Station out of service through the end of 2027, at the earliest.
The 2012 storm flooded the two passages with millions of gallons of saltwater. Engineers have said corrosive agents in the water have continued to eat away at the concrete and steel tunnels, which Amtrak has said remain structurally safe.
Although the two tunnels targeted for repairs are primarily used by Amtrak and NJ Transit, Long Island Rail Road officials have expressed concern that the reduced tunnel capacity could impact their customers, especially if another tunnel unexpectedly goes out of service with one already down. In such a situation, the railroad may have to suspend service at Penn Station, LIRR President Robert Free has said.
Other changes are on the way to Long Island Rail Road customers, including some that will benefit summer Hamptons travelers. While marking the return of the "Cannonball" weekend express train from Penn Station to Montauk, Free noted that the 5:13 p.m. train from Penn to Montauk, which previously ran only on weekends, will now run on all summer weekdays. The LIRR is also adding more direct service from Montauk to Penn for those returning from the Hamptons.
The LIRR also announced another change coming to monthly ticket holders. Beginning with the June ticket, which goes on sale Sunday, monthly tickets will be printed on paper, rather than on the back of a MetroCard. The change comes as the LIRR's parent organization, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, looks to phase out the 30-year-old MetroCard by the end of this year.
Beginning Friday, Penn Station commuters will have to make do with one fewer tunnel across the East River for at least the next 2 ½ years, as Amtrak begins its long-delayed effort to repair damage caused by Superstorm Sandy 13 years ago.
Although Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA officials had warned Amtrak's approach to construction could lead to snarled commutes, the governor sought to reassure riders. In a statement, she said she met with Amtrak officials Thursday and understands "the importance of moving this project forward."
"That is why I have asked — and Amtrak has agreed — to incorporate the actual experience of the first tunnel shutdown, including the use of third party consultants, to ensure the best approach to the second shutdown," Hochul said.
Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams said, during the meeting with Hochul, the intercity passenger rail provider "reassured the Governor and MTA of our commitment to minimizing impacts to passengers throughout the project." Earlier this month, Amtrak said it would have standby crews and extra locomotives for "rescue coverage," among other measures, ready to avert problems.
Amtrak, which owns Penn Station and the adjoining tunnels, and Hochul confirmed Thursday that the tunnel closures would commence Friday. Following a brief closure of "Line 1," which is set to last about two weeks, Amtrak will take "Line 2" out of service for about 13 months to carry out extensive repairs and upgrades.
About three months after the work on Line 1 is complete, Amtrak plans to shut down Line 2 for similar fixes and improvements. Combined, the work will keep one of the four East River Tunnels linking to Penn Station out of service through the end of 2027, at the earliest.
The 2012 storm flooded the two passages with millions of gallons of saltwater. Engineers have said corrosive agents in the water have continued to eat away at the concrete and steel tunnels, which Amtrak has said remain structurally safe.
Although the two tunnels targeted for repairs are primarily used by Amtrak and NJ Transit, Long Island Rail Road officials have expressed concern that the reduced tunnel capacity could impact their customers, especially if another tunnel unexpectedly goes out of service with one already down. In such a situation, the railroad may have to suspend service at Penn Station, LIRR President Robert Free has said.
Other changes are on the way to Long Island Rail Road customers, including some that will benefit summer Hamptons travelers. While marking the return of the "Cannonball" weekend express train from Penn Station to Montauk, Free noted that the 5:13 p.m. train from Penn to Montauk, which previously ran only on weekends, will now run on all summer weekdays. The LIRR is also adding more direct service from Montauk to Penn for those returning from the Hamptons.
The LIRR also announced another change coming to monthly ticket holders. Beginning with the June ticket, which goes on sale Sunday, monthly tickets will be printed on paper, rather than on the back of a MetroCard. The change comes as the LIRR's parent organization, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, looks to phase out the 30-year-old MetroCard by the end of this year.
