2nd Hudson Tunnel on Life Support

[Andrew]

When will actual drill-and-blast begin on the eventual tunnel box?

 

[jis]

When will actual drill-and-blast begin on the eventual tunnel box?

You really need to learn to use Google!
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/amtrak/news/Amtrak-awards-contract-for-box-tunnel-project-under-Hudson-Yards-site--36750#

 

[Andrew]

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130815/BIZ/308150336

"MIDDLETOWN — The new chief of the MTA committed himself Wednesday to pursuing the possibility of a one-seat ride to New York City for Metro-North customers from Orange and Rockland counties.

Thomas Prendergast, chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority since June, described the one-seat ride and other elements of Amtrak's ambitious plan to increase access and capacity at Pennsylvania Station as "a very important project for us."

"We want to pursue it," said Prendergast in speaking to the Times Herald-Record's editorial board. "There won't be too many opportunities to do this in the future if we don't."

Amtrak's $15 billion "Gateway" plan would build a second tunnel beneath the Hudson to Penn Station and expand the number of tracks and platforms there.

The still-unfunded project would not only pave the way for Amtrak to bring high-speed rail to the Northeast, but also give its partners at an overcrowded Penn, the Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit, the ability to grow.

Paying for "Bergen loop"

At the same time, Amtrak is willing to build — but not pay for — the so-called "Bergen loop" that would tie the Port Jervis/Main/Bergen and Pascack Valley lines into the new tunnel and eliminate transfers at Secaucus for Orange, Rockland and Bergen County, N.J., commuters.

Prendergast said he anticipated, if and when Gateway advances, that the MTA would be asked to contribute to the cost of building the loop as well as improvements that would benefit its two commuter railroads. The MTA has already moved to preserve a right-of-way for the tunnel through its Hudson Yards on the Far West Side of Manhattan.

However, he and Howard Permut, Metro-North's president, said they have had no discussions yet with NJ Transit about turning the loop into a joint venture similar to the Secaucus transfer station. Metro-North contributed $50 million toward NJ Transit's construction of the $450 million station a decade ago.

"Difficult issues have to get up on the table," said Prendergast.

The two men added they still plan to bring Metro-North trains into Penn when some of the LIRR's slots there are freed in 2019, after the LIRR gains access to Grand Central Terminal. Metro-North is studying whether to approach Penn from the Hudson or the New Haven line.

Continued Port line investment

Permut said Metro-North will continue to invest in the Port Jervis line and position it for future growth. Long term, Metro-North wants to preserve a right-of-way for an eventual spur between Stewart International Airport and its Salisbury Mills station.

Short term, it wants to add a second track from Sloatsburg to the Moodna Viaduct and build a mid-point yard somewhere west of Harriman to supplement the one in Port Jervis — both critical for increased service, especially if Gateway becomes a reality.

Permut said the railroad will update the public on these plans sometime this fall."

Folks--thoughts?