USA: More than 13 years after Superstorm Sandy flooded it with 14 million gallons of saltwater, one of two damaged East River Tunnel tubes is carrying trains again at full capacity — and Amtrak says everything it learned fixing this one will shape how it fixes the other.

Officials beside a train during Amtrak’s reopening of East River Tunnel Line 2 in New York
Officials and project partners during Amtrak’s reopening of East River Tunnel Line 2 in New York. Photo: Amtrak.

Amtrak officially reopened East River Tunnel Line 2 this week, completing the first major phase of the $1.6 billion rehabilitation project, according to Amtrak Media. Railway Supply has followed the project since its start in May 2025, including the initial closure and subsequent decommissioning phase; this covers the tunnel’s reopening and what comes next.

Don’t miss…Amtrak Rejected the Transcontinental Chief: What Do the Public Numbers Say About Its Business Case?

What a year of closure actually rebuilt

The tunnel, which carries more than 450 daily Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit trains, was stripped down to its concrete liner during the closure. Crews removed all old electrical conduit and utilities, which Amtrak said were significantly damaged, and by earlier this year had placed more than 16,000 linear feet of new benchwall across 41 pour days, according to Engineering News-Record. “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,” Amtrak said.

Line 1 closes this fall, with lessons already applied

Amtrak says Line 1 will close later this year for the same rehabilitation, with the full project remaining on track for completion by the end of 2027. Before that closure begins, crews will complete infrastructure-hardening work on the tunnel to help maintain reliable service during the second phase. Amtrak has said lessons learned from Line 2 are already informing sequencing and construction methods for Line 1, though the announcement does not specify which specific changes will be made.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…Metro-North Temporary Penn Access Service vs LIRR