Amtrak East River Tunnel Reconstruction VE Study

New York, NY

During October 2012, Amtrak’s East River Tunnel (ERT) Lines 1 and 2 were flooded with sea water by Superstorm Sandy. As a result of the storm, a study and assessment report was made by HNTB and Jacobs who were able to create a preliminary design based on the report. The design included:

Bench wall and duct bank removal and reconstruction
Feasibility study for ballast-less track system
Tunnel structural stability
Signal, communication, overhead contact system (OCS), and traction power design and replacement in kind
Fire/life safety and tunnel ventilation during and after tunnel constructions
Tunnel drainage
Rail operation and system impacts during all phases of construction activities in the tunnel.

The preliminary design done by Jacobs included a schedule and construction estimate. Ellana was brought on as part of the team contracted to VMS to assess the current schedule/estimate, check and modify as needed, and to render professional cost/schedule opinions on design suggestions provided by the rest of the team members to bring about better value for the end user once construction begins and ends.

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