Amtrak Defends East River Tunnel Plan Despite Criticism

Amtrak has reaffirmed its commitment to begin rehabilitation of the East River Tunnel in May, calling the plan the safest, most cost-effective, and least disruptive strategy available. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Officials from New York State, including Governor Hochul and the MTA, raised concerns over the project’s impact, but Amtrak insists the current plan offers long-term benefits for passengers and taxpayers.

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Amtrak Coordinates With MTA and Transit Partners

Roger Harris, president of Amtrak, explained that the company coordinated extensively with MTA and NJ Transit, receiving necessary approvals months ago.

The plan calls for the sequential closure of two tunnel tubes damaged in 2012, with each closure lasting up to 18 months. Work will begin on May 9.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has already allocated funding, and the contractor is ready to execute the work. Amtrak said it has optimized the schedule to reduce delays caused by the MTA’s Eastbound Re-Route project.

Amtrak Responds to Alternative Proposals From State Officials

While Governor Hochul suggested a “repair in place” method, Harris confirmed that engineers assessed multiple alternatives based on international standards before selecting the final design.

That review led to some refinements, but the full replacement method remains the most reliable. Amtrak also welcomed Hochul’s proposal to use commuter rail cars to offset fleet shortages.

Harris said the company remains open to partnering with local agencies to improve service and minimize disruption during the three-year project timeline.

By defending its strategy and inviting collaboration, the national rail operator seeks to deliver essential infrastructure improvements without compromising safety or efficiency.

Source: www.trains.com

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