Procurement for the $16.1-billion Hudson Tunnel Project to build a passenger rail link between New York and New Jersey continues to advance, as the Gateway Development Commission shortlisted three teams for the Manhattan tunnel portion of the project that will be invited to submit design-build proposals.
The scope of work under the contract package includes mined tunneling using a sequential excavation method from West 30th Street, under Hudson River Park and through the bulkhead on the West Side of Manhattan. The contract would also cover ground stabilization along the tunnel alignment, work on two construction shafts and underpinning a sewer.
Gateway is a joint commission formed by New York and New Jersey to lead rail infrastructure projects between Newark, N.J., and Manhattan. According to its notice, the shortlisted teams include a joint venture of Frontier-Kemper Constructors Inc., Tutor Perini Corp. and Hyundai America Inc.; a team of Halmar International LLC and FCC Construction Inc.; and a joint venture of Skanska USA Civil Northeast Inc., Traylor Bros. Inc. and Walsh Construction Co. II LLC.
Gateway anticipates releasing a request for proposals to the three teams by the end of March.
The plan is to build a two-tube, 2.4-mile-long tunnel to improve rail service reliability along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and relieve pressure on the aging North River Tunnels, which are in need of repair but are the only current Hudson River crossing for passenger trains between northern New Jersey and New York Penn Station. The plan is to temporarily close the North River Tunnels for rehabilitation after completion of the new tunnel.
The Manhattan tunnel section would connect to a section running under the Hudson river between New York and Hoboken, N.J., which is planned to be awarded under a separate contract. Gateway shortlisted three teams last August for work to stabilize the riverbed before that section is tunneled. Gateway also shortlisted five teams last October for the New Jersey Palisades tunnel portion. Proposals from those teams are due later this year. Another contract covering full tunnel fit-out is planned to follow.
Gateway is also close to selecting its delivery partner, which will assist with various planning and management services across the project.
Construction is now underway on two other non-tunnel contract packages. One covers construction of a concrete casing at Hudson Yards in Manhattan, and the other includes construction of a bridge to carry an existing road over the planned rail right-of-way approaching the New Jersey tunnel portal.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2038.
