Hudson Tunnel project prepares to launch TBM excavation in New Jersey

(UI) - Work is advancing on the Gateway Program's Hudson Tunnel project as crews prepare to begin tunnel boring operations in New Jersey for the new rail tunnel under the Hudson River. 

According to Spectrum News, construction teams are assembling two tunnel boring machines (TBMs), each weighing approximately 1,700 tons and stretching about 500 feet in length. The machines will excavate twin tunnel tubes through the New Jersey Palisades toward the Hudson River, marking a major milestone in the project’s progression.

Before TBM operations begin, crews are completing a final 75-foot section of excavation using controlled blasting to reach a vertical launch face. Once deployed, the TBMs will cut through hard rock conditions in the Palisades—estimated at around 35,000 psi—requiring specialized cutter tools and frequent maintenance.

Following excavation through the Palisades to Weehawken, additional TBMs will be used to continue tunneling beneath the Hudson River and into Manhattan, Spectrum News reported. The phased approach reflects the varying ground conditions across the alignment, from hard rock to softer riverbed materials.

The Gateway Tunnel is a key component of the broader Gateway Program, aimed at expanding rail capacity and improving reliability along the Northeast Corridor.

 

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