Amtrak plans to spend $50m to begin preliminary engineering and design work to build two rail tunnels under the Hudson River from New Jersey to New York City in the US.
The $13.5bn trans-Hudson tunnels, set to be complete by 2020, will expand intercity and high-speed rail access, providing 220mp/h Amtrak high-speed rail services on the north-east corridor.
The project is expected to increase New Jersey Transit commuter rail capacity into New York by 65% with 33 trains an hour during peak times, and will increase the number of Amtrak trains into New York City by eight per hour.
The two tunnels will connect to Moynihan Station and Pennsylvania Station South, and will meet passenger demand during peak periods in Manhattan.
Amtrak will also undertake work to replace the Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River and expand track capacity between Newark and New York Pennsylvania Stations.
The agency will also seek funds from local, regional and state governments, as well as private investors.
Related links
Hudson Rail Tunnels – New Jersey/New York
