In a landmark development for the Hudson Tunnel project, the first tunnel boring contract has been awarded.
- The £365.4M Palisades Tunnel package was granted to the Schiavone Dragados Lane JV.
- This project will establish twin tunnels under the Hudson River, enhancing infrastructure connectivity.
- An important phase involves stabilising the riverbed for the safe excavation of the new tunnel.
- Construction is anticipated to begin soon and is expected to conclude in 2027.
The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) has made a significant advancement in the Hudson Tunnel project, awarding a £365.4M contract to the Schiavone Dragados Lane joint venture. This contract marks the commencement of real progress on the £12.6bn initiative to bolster transit infrastructure between New Jersey and New York.
The awarded Palisades Tunnel package involves constructing the first set of twin tunnels located on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. This ambitious scheme covers the boring of two 1.5km tunnels, each with an impressive inside diameter of 7.5m. Six cross passages will also be integrated into the design to facilitate this engineering endeavour.
Schiavone, a New Jersey contractor acquired by Dragados in 2007, collaborates with North Carolina’s Lane Construction, part of the Webuild Group, to implement this critical phase. Beyond boring the tunnels, the project includes installing a concrete tunnel lining with a waterproofing membrane, and constructing the Hudson County Shaft to remove the excavating tunnel boring machines upon completion.
Simultaneously, the GDC board approved advancing the Hudson River ground stabilisation project to its second phase. This essential progression involves solidifying the riverbed on the Manhattan side, employing a mixture of soil, concrete, and water. This step is vital to ensure that tunnel boring machines operate without disrupting the ecological balance of the riverbed.
To mitigate ecological impact, careful measures, such as temporary sheet pile cofferdams, will protect the work sites. Construction timelines are strategically planned to avoid disturbances during fish spawning seasons.
The new twin tube railway tunnel, part of an overall scheme, will eventually span 3.8km under the Hudson River, offering a modern route alongside the existing, century-old North River Tunnel that was damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
Representatives from the GDC, including commissioners from New York, New Jersey, and Amtrak, have collectively underscored their commitment to expedited construction following a substantial government funding boost of £8.6bn. According to a joint statement, the present actions represent a decisive leap forward for heavy construction and tunnel boring activities.
This critical infrastructural project not only promises to enhance transit between New Jersey and New York but also represents a major stride in modernising essential transport links.
