The Gateway Development Commission announced Friday that Amtrak has awarded a contract and work has begun on behalf of the Gateway Program to relocate utilities out of the future path of the third and final section of the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing, a part of the Hudson Tunnel Project.
The $25 million early work project is the latest step in preparing for the full construction of the new Hudson River Tunnel and rehabilitation of the existing tunnel.
Frank Sacr, the interim executive director of the Gateway Program, said the project is another step forward.
“With New York, New Jersey and Amtrak fully committed to Gateway, and a stronger federal partnership finally in place, we are excited about getting the Hudson Tunnel Project fully underway,” he said. “That means taking the steps we can now to ensure the project is ready to build. Critical path items like utilities relocation is absolutely an essential part of that responsibility, as well as providing much-needed jobs and economic activity immediately.”
The early work project will create jobs and provide an economic boost as the region continues to work through the COVID-19 crisis.
Initial work has begun on the early work project, including conducting testing and digging of pits and materials staging. The project is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter of this year.
The announcement comes as the GDC conducts its first board meeting and provides an update on the Hudson Tunnel Project that included the Hudson Yards work.
Planned in collaboration with the Long Island Rail Road and the Related Cos., the utility relocation project involving LIRR’s Emergency Services Building is a critical path activity that allows future construction of the concrete casing itself.
The advancement of utility relocation was a key recommendation received from the private sector during the Gateway Partners’ Request for Information process to reduce project risks and unknowns during full construction. The development of the future construction of the final section of the concrete casing is continuing.
