Amtrak’s East River Tunnel Reopening Marks Major Infrastructure Milestone

Amtrak has reopened East River Tunnel Line 2 in New York City, completing the first major phase of a $1.6 billion rehabilitation project to renew critical Northeast Corridor infrastructure damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

The work restores a key rail link used by Amtrak, MTA Long Island Rail Road, and NJ TRANSIT customers and strengthens reliability through one of the busiest passenger rail tunnels in the Western Hemisphere. The 116-year-old East River Tunnel, which opened in 1910, serves approximately 450 trains daily.

Over the past year, crews reconstructed Line 2’s interior systems, including track, power, communications, drainage, and structural components. The work included removing and replacing more than 24,000 feet of rail, 8,000 tons of ballast, 8,000 wooden rail ties, and 20,000 cubic yards of bench wall concrete.

APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said, “The reopening of the first East River Tunnel tube marks a major milestone in restoring one of the nation’s most vital rail assets. More than a decade after Superstorm Sandy left this century-old tunnel vulnerable, this achievement shows what’s possible when federal investment, strong partnerships, and skilled labor come together to rebuild critical infrastructure. Hundreds of thousands of Amtrak, MTA Long Island Rail Road, and NJ TRANSIT riders depend on this tunnel every day. This progress brings us closer to a safer, more reliable Northeast Corridor for generations to come.”

The project’s second and final phase, covering Line 1, is scheduled to begin in the fall. Amtrak says the project remains within budget and on track for completion by the end of 2027. Funding is provided primarily through a federal grant administered by the FRA, with contributions from Amtrak, New York MTA, and NJ TRANSIT.