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Amtrak wraps first part of East River tunnel rehab, MTA says work strained LIRR service
Gothamist • • business
Key Points:
- Amtrak completed a 15-month rehabilitation of one of its East River train tunnels, marking the first phase of repairs on tunnels damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, despite criticism from MTA officials over the impact on Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service.
- The repair work required shutting down one tunnel at a time, leading to a 20% reduction in LIRR peak hour service into Penn Station, causing increased crowding and delays for riders.
- A fire in May and a debris-related train disablement further strained the remaining tunnels, forcing LIRR, Amtrak, and NJ Transit to share just one operational tube temporarily.
- Amtrak plans to close and rehabilitate the second damaged tunnel this fall, with completion expected by the end of 2027, maintaining that full closures are necessary for effective repairs and that alternative repair methods would prolong the project and disrupt service more.
- The rehabilitated tunnel now features improved lighting and a larger drainage system to enhance safety and water management, with passenger service resuming Sunday evening.
