Amtrak moves ahead with East River Tunnel construction

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Get ready for construction that will impact train travel in the East River Tunnels and at Penn Station. 

Earlier this week, the MTA and Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed concern about Amtrak’s plans for the mega project between Queens and Manhattan. 

On Friday, Amtrak responded to the governor with a letter:

“Given the MTA’s extensive and long-standing role in planning, funding, and coordinating the implementation of this project, your recent objections are surprising,” wrote Amtrak President Roger Harris. 

One of the four current tracks will go out of service for 13 months during the project for the first phase. The East River Tunnels are managed and owned by Amtrak. 

MTA Board members and agency representatives discussed the project at the monthly meetings this week. The letter said a public back and forth about the project “erodes public confidence.”

On Friday, the LIRR president issued a statement. 

“Amtrak is about to start a project that puts LIRR service at substantial risk. The MTA has been saying for years that Amtrak’s flawed skeleton of a plan should be reconsidered. If they proceed as intended, while finger-pointing about unrelated issues as a distraction, Long Islanders’ reliance on record on-time and reliable trains will be jeopardized—which is unacceptable,” said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free. 

The work is scheduled to begin next week. Amtrak has already delayed the date due to an LIRR project which has been put in place to deal with the re-routes.

A spokesperson for Hochul continued to question the service outlook.

“Governor Hochul's letter speaks for itself – she remains committed to working with all parties to continue her strong advocacy on behalf of transit riders,” the spokesperson wrote in an email to PIX11 News.

Riders should check LIRR schedules. NJ Transit also uses the tunnels and Sunnyside Yard. 

Railroad officials said plans are in place, but they remain concerned about potential disruptions. Amtrak says crews and equipment are being strategically positioned to handle stalled trains or disturbances. 

The MTA this week suggested overnight or weekend closures, as was the plan during the L-train tunnel work. 

Amtrak has looked at the Canarsie Tube project, but this tunnel project has substantial differences and long-term fixes are required.

It’s the latest major rehabilitation work to repair and restore the tunnels after Superstorm Sandy in 2012.