Amtrak is proceeding at full speed with Friday’s tunnel closures in the city, despite cries from Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul that the three-year project might cause transit pandemonium.
According to Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams, Amtrak will continue close one of two westbound train tracks in the East River Tunnel despite having a “productive” meeting with Hochul and Metropolitan Transportation Authority leaders on Thursday.
“We assured the Governor and MTA that we would minimize the impact on passengers during the project,” Abrams stated.
In 1910, the East River Tunnel became accessible to railroad traffic. The 2.5-mile section connects Queens to Penn Station and passes beneath the East River. Keivom James
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Amtrak will replace deteriorating concrete to prevent leaks and update the tracks to prevent water from pooling as part of the restoration. Keivom James
On April 12, 2025, a broad view shows an Amtrak train pulling into Newark Penn Station in Newark, New Jersey. Sadowski, Christopher
Due to concerns that the shutdown would impact MTA trains from Queens into Penn Station, the transit giant’s much-maligned plan infuriated Long Island residents as well as prominent municipal and state leaders. According to detractors, any unanticipated construction issues might force the closure of all tunnel access, which might seriously impede regional rail travel.
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However, Amtrak stated that in an effort to minimize delays, it will offer 24-hour engineering coverage throughout the outage, perform more frequent inspections of the remaining westbound track, and place rescue equipment in strategic locations to ensure that delays are promptly addressed.
According to Hochul, Amtrak also consented to let outside consultants assess the project and decide whether the second tunnel should be completely blocked when construction starts in the fall of 2026 and lasts for 13 months. According to Amtrak engineers, the first tunnel’s construction, which begins on Friday, will likewise take roughly 13 months.
During the closure, Hochul requested that Amtrak halt dynamic pricing on the impacted train routes. According to Abrams, Amtrak and the New York State Department of Transportation are evaluating the viability.
Governor Kathy Hochul is concerned that millions of New Yorkers would experience delays as a result of Amtrak’s repair plans.
In a scathing letter to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on May 6, Mayor Eric Adams entered the tunnel tug-of-war, denouncing Amtrak’s East River shutdown plan and calling for the federal government to intervene before travelers are left stranded and seething.
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According to insiders at City Hall, Adams has been arguing with the White House on the shutdown, even asking first deputy mayor Randy Maestro to support the administration’s position. But in the end, Hochul is being allowed to steer the conversation by the mayor’s administration.
Amtrak’s East River shutdown proposal was criticized by Mayor Eric Adams, who called on the federal government to intervene, but they haven’t.
According to a statement from City Hall, “Conversations are still ongoing with the White House, and top administration officials have had numerous conversations with Amtrak and the White House on this issue.”
Every day, hundreds of trains from the MTA’s Long Island Railroad service pass through the East River Tunnel. Even though the MTA approved Amtrak’s plan to close the tunnels back in October 2023, LIRR President Rob Free attempted to disassociate the MTA from the closure plan last week by referring to it as “Amtrak’s operation.”
Since it was devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Amtrak has insisted that the extent of the damage necessitates the complete shutdown of the tunnels.
While making the long-overdue improvements required to safeguard service for future generations, Amtrak is dedicated to provide for today’s riders, Abrams stated.
