Giant Drill Begins Work on New Hudson River Rail Tunnel
A powerful tunnel-boring machine has started digging to create a new rail link between New Jersey and Manhattan, a project crucial for the region's economy.
Powerful cutters have begun boring a new train tunnel under the Hudson River, connecting New Jersey to Manhattan. Officials ceremonially activated the Gateway tunnel's giant drill on Monday in North Bergen, New Jersey, marking a significant step in one of the largest U.S. mass transit projects in recent history.
New York and New Jersey officials emphasized the tunnel's importance to the national economy, noting that the existing 116-year-old passage carries approximately 200,000 passengers daily. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer stated that the failure to build the new tunnel could have severe economic consequences for the entire country.
The tunnel-boring machine, which is 1,680 tons and nearly as long as two football fields, features cutters harder than diamonds. It was manufactured in Germany and assembled on-site in North Bergen over several months. Final testing is underway, and the machine is expected to commence boring through the Palisades Cliffs in the coming days.
This machine is one of two that will carve approximately 1 mile through the dense rock of the cliffs at an estimated pace of 30 feet per day. A subsequent phase will involve another set of machines to bore the tunnel section directly beneath the Hudson River.
The $16 billion project is projected to take about a decade to complete. It has faced numerous political and financial obstacles, including a previous halt in federal support under the Trump administration, which led to a temporary suspension of construction before federal funding was restored through a court order.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed determination to see the project through, stating, "Nothing will stop us from digging this tunnel." She added, "When you see New York and New Jersey working together, get out of our way."