Amtrak's East River Tunnel, over 100 years old, faces critical repairs starting May 23, leading to delays for riders. Amtrak vice president Liam McQuat highlights that full shutdown is vital for safety, dismissing public suggestions for alternative repair timelines. MTA and Amtrak are engaged in a blame game, with MTA distancing from service disruptions. The repair plan, costing $1.6 billion, was approved in October 2023, yet both agencies express differing responsibilities regarding the operations. The urgency is underscored by ongoing corrosive damage in the tunnels, requiring immediate action to extend the infrastructure's life.
Amtrak insists that a full shutdown of one tunnel lane is necessary for 13 months to repair the nearly corroded tracks, despite public demands for alternative scheduling.
Liam McQuat emphasized the exhaustive twelve-year analysis leading to this decision, asserting that the tunnel repairs cannot occur efficiently during limited nighttime hours.
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