Amtrak Celebrates Hudson Tunnel Project Construction

Amtrak is celebrating the beginning of construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project in New York.

Courtesy of Amtrak

NEW YORK CITY – Amtrak is celebrating the beginning of construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project in New York.

Amtrak is celebrating the beginning of construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project in New York. In addition to the start of construction, the final phase of the Concrete Casing project has begun. According to the news release, the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing “is an essential rail right-of-way preservation project that will clear the way for the Hudson Tunnel Project’s full construction. Earlier this year, President Biden announced that Section 3 of the project would receive funding through the U.S. DOT’s Mega Grant Program in the amount of $292 million. 

While the first two sections are complete and “run under the block bordered by 10^th and 11^th Avenues and 30^thand 33^rd Streets,” the third section will extend “the casing on a diagonal alignment from the western edge of 11^th Avenue to 30^th Street, where it will connect with the new Hudson River Tunnel, providing access for trains that will use the new Hudson Tunnel into New York Penn Station.” Amtrak expects this section to be completed by Summer of 2026.

On November 3^rd, State and Federal officials joined together to celebrate the beginning of construction. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said: “For a long time now, the Gateway project has been my passion. It’s a labor of love. And after many false starts and obstacles placed in our way, Gateway is full speed ahead with billions in federal dollars I secured ready to go towards this critical work and construction. . . Gateway’s future is assured and the most important public works project in America is all systems go. I’ve long cautioned the potential failure of one or both of the only two rail tunnels running under the Hudson River is one of the most pressing issues facing New York City right now, and that is why I have worked so hard to advance this project, critical work, and the federal funds to New York with all due speed.”

In the release, Secretary Buttigieg stated: “The Gateway program is critically important not just to this city and this region, but to our entire country’s economic security.  That’s why, back in January, we were proud to award $292 million from a brand-new program in President Biden’s infrastructure law to help support this effort.  Today, we celebrate a major step toward completing the new Hudson River Tunnel, as we begin work on the third and final part of the concrete casing that will eventually connect Gateway Hudson Tunnel to Penn Station.”