Crews working to save 110-year-old tunnel connecting New York and New Jersey

Stock Photo: Train tunnel
Stock Photo: Train tunnel

Amtrak is looking for a permanent solution to replace the 110-year-old North River Tunnel which suffered serious damage during Superstorm Sandy and has plagued the rail line ever since.

The tunnel connects New York and New Jersey by train, but is often flooded and experiences technical issues due to that flooding. So, now, one of the tubes of that tunnel has been taken out of service and is being repaired until a new tunnel connecting the two states under the Hudson River can be constructed.

“The high level of traffic in the existing North River Tunnel – approximately 450 trains per weekday – means that without this project, taking one of the North River Tunnel tubes out of service for necessary repairs would severely reduce rail service because the remaining tube would have to accommodate two-way traffic,” Amtrak said. “This very significant reduction in capacity would have a devastating effect on New York and New Jersey commuters who cross the Hudson on a daily basis, Amtrak passengers, and the regional and national economies.”